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At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

[Model analysis of the effect of modulated electromagnetic fields with various parameters of modulating signals in cells].

A theoretical analysis of the dependence of cell response to modulated electromagnetic fields on the parameters of modulating signals was performed on the basis of the model for calcium-dependent membrane-associated intracellular signaling systems. Expressed amplitude-frequency "windows" in the response of the nonlinear system to external influence were shown to depend on the effective time during which the amplitude of the influencing signal exceeded some threshold value, which is determined by the properties of the system. The presence of negative values in the influencing signal, i.e. the variations in the rate of some process around the inherent value, played an important role for the effect characteristics. The response of the nonlinear system to external influence strongly depended on the waveform of the modulating signal which is determined not only by frequency spectrum, but also by the initial phase of each frequency component. To ensure a regime for the optimal effect, the rates of increase and drop in the modulating signal amplitude should be synchronized with dynamic processes in the biological object being exposed.

Algorithms↗

Quantitative characterization of the intrinsic ligand-binding affinity of the interleukin 2 receptor beta chain and its modulation by the alpha chain and a second affinity-modulating element.

The interleukin 2 receptor is a multisubunit receptor known to consist of at least two IL-2 binding subunits, alpha and beta. We report here kinetic evidence defining the contribution of an affinity-modulating element(s) intimately involved in modulation of the ligand-binding affinity of the beta chain and alpha/beta complex. The principal effect of this modulating element on the beta chain is to slow the dissociation of IL-2 more than 150-fold and thus raise its low intrinsic IL-2 binding affinity (Kd = 70 nM) as defined in transfected fibroblast cells to the level observed in lymphoid cells (Kd = 1.2 nM). The alpha subunit also increases the ligand-binding affinity of the beta chain, although in this case principally by increasing the association rate constant more than 1200-fold. The additional effect of the affinity-modulating element on the alpha/beta complex is minimal with regards to the equilibrium binding affinity. It does, however, have a detectable 14-fold effect on slowing the IL-2 dissociation rate. The existence of multiple forms of IL-2 receptor complexes with widely varying ligand affinities and dissociation rates illustrates the need for careful evaluation of binding data in studies of receptor subunit composition and reconstitution.

Animals↗

[The characteristics of the latent periods of movements in cats during the differentiation of tonal and amplitude-modulated signals with changes in the modulation from high frequencies to low].

The latent periods of the forepaw movements of cats were studied in the course of differentiation task performance. Pure tones and amplitude-modulated stimuli had to be differentiated. It was found out that the mean latency of motor responses to pure tones was significantly higher than that of responses to modulated signals. The latencies to the applied stimuli did not differ in the simple task (without differentiation). The latencies were influenced not only by the absolute values of modulation frequency but also by the frequency shift in successive experiments. Lowering modulation frequency decreased the latency. This effect was especially expressed around the values of 205-207 and 33-34 Hz.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Opioid modulation of attention-related responses: delta-receptors modulate habituation and conditioned bradycardia.

Endogenous opioids modulate attention-related heart rate responses evoked by novel stimuli and conditioned signals in ways that differ from their better-known effects on motivation and memory functions. We investigated the role of delta-opioids in modulating bradycardiac orienting and Pavlovian conditioned responses in rabbits, following i.v. treatment with the highly selective delta-receptor antagonist naltrindole (NTI; 0.037-0.370 mg/kg). When administered immediately before testing, NTI induced modest but detectable effects: the lowest dose increased cardiac discrimination near the end of the first training session, whereas the higher doses of NTI impaired discrimination, compared to saline-treated controls. NTI treatment immediately before testing also appeared to promote habituation of bradycardiac orienting responses elicited by novel tones, but NTI did not alter unconditioned heart rate responses following tone-shock pairs or extinction of conditioned responses. In contrast, the low dose of NTI administered 20 min, rather than immediately before testing, facilitated conditioned bradycardia during extinction, as well as during training. These results provide evidence that endogenous delta-opioid modulators normally delay the disappearance of bradycardiac orienting responses during habituation, inhibit or promote the development of bradycardiac conditioned responses during Pavlovian training depending on dose, and promote the disappearance of conditioned responses during extinction. These findings suggest that endogenous delta-opioid activity, probably involving both peripheral and central systems, coincides with, and may reflect, uncertainty about stimulus significance.

Animals↗

Differential modulation of chemosensitivity to alkylating agents and platinum compounds by DNA repair modulators in human lung cancer cell lines.

PURPOSE: Modulation of DNA repair represents one strategy to overcome cellular drug resistance to alkylating agents and platinum compounds. The effects of different known DNA repair modulators such as O6-benzylguanine (6 microg/ml), fludarabine (25 ng/ml), aphidicolin (8.5 ng/ml), pentoxifylline (1.4 microg/ml) and methoxamine (12.4 microg/ml) on the cytotoxicity of mafosfamide, chlorambucil, 1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), cisplatin and carboplatin were tested in human lung cancer cell lines. METHODS: Chemosensitivity of the human adenocarcinoma cell line MOR/P and the cisplatin-resistant subline MOR/CPR as well as the large-cell lung cancer cell line L23/P and its cisplatin-resistant counterpart L23/CPR were evaluated by the MTT colorimetric assay. RESULTS: O6-benzylguanine, an inhibitor of O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase, significantly sensitised MOR/P and MOR/CPR cells to the cytotoxic effect of BCNU. Fludarabine, methoxamine and aphidicolin did not change the chemosensitivity of the parental and cisplatin-resistant cell lines to any cytotoxic drug tested. Interestingly, O6-benzylguanine enhanced the chemoresistance of parental and cisplatin-resistant cell lines to platinum compounds. Also, pentoxifylline increased resistance of the MOR cell lines to mafosfamide. CONCLUSIONS: Modulation of DNA repair elicits not only chemosensitisation but may also enhance cellular resistance to DNA-affine drugs.

Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating↗

The sensitivity of the peripheral visual system to amplitude-modulation and frequency-modulation of sine-wave patterns.

The detectability of amplitude modulation and spatial frequency modulation of suprathreshold sine-wave gratings was measured at retinal eccentricities ranging from 0 to 30 deg. The main conclusions to be drawn from the experimental results are: (1) for this visual task it is not possible to bring peripheral sensitivity to the same level as foveal sensitivity by scaling the stimuli with the inverse of the cortical magnification factor M. (2) Increasing the number of cycles in the carrier grating improves modulation detectability. For gratings in the periphery this holds up to the largest stimulus size used (64 cycles). In earlier investigations it has been shown that for central vision the improvement ends at about 16 cycles.

Form Perception↗

Orientation- and frequency-modulated textures at low depths of modulation are processed by off-orientation and off-frequency texture mechanisms.

Intuitively it may seem likely that orientation-modulated (OM) and frequency-modulated (FM) textures are processed utilizing the first-order channels that are most responsive to the first-order (luminance) information contained in the textures. This assumption would imply that the detection or segmentation of OM or FM textures is accomplished by second-order mechanisms that receive their first-order input from neurons tuned to either the center, or to the peaks in the orientation and spatial-frequency distribution of the texture. Here we show that at low depths of modulation this is not the case. Using an adaptation paradigm, we show that the first-order filters involved in the perception of OM and FM textures are those which maximize the differential response between the different texture regions. Our explanation of this result is similar to that made by Regan and Beverley [J. Opt. Soc. Am. 73 (1983) 1684; J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 2 (1985) 147] for simple grating stimuli. However, we show that whereas Regan and Beverley's results could be accounted for on the basis of the tuning functions of the putative mechanisms involved, our results can be explained in terms of the characteristics of the textures themselves. Some implications of our finding are discussed.

Adaptation, Ocular↗

Retrieving modulation parameters from HRTEM images of modulated structures.

Quantitative high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (qHRTEM) is methodologically extended towards the assessment of occupationally and positionally modulated structures. For this purpose, iterative digital image matching has been combined with data processing within the Rietveld refinement code JANA2000. In this approach, the number of free parameters is kept low and rather complicated modulated structures become assessable by qHRTEM. The feasibility of the improved methodology is demonstrated for the 1D modulated structure of Ba(2)TiGe(2)O(8).

Journal Article↗

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer. Mechanisms, reversal using modulators of MDR and the role of MDR modulators in influencing the pharmacokinetics of anticancer drugs.

In recent years, there has been an increased understanding of P-glycoprotein (P-GP)-mediated pharmacokinetic interactions. In addition, its role in modifying the bioavailability of orally administered drugs via induction or inhibition has been also been demonstrated in various studies. This overview presents a background on some of the commonly documented mechanisms of multidrug resistance (MDR), reversal using modulators of MDR, followed by a discussion on the functional aspects of P-GP in the context of the pharmacokinetic interactions when multiple agents are coadministered. While adverse pharmacokinetic interactions have been documented with first and second generation MDR modulators, certain newer agents of the third generation class of compounds have been less susceptible in eliciting pharmacokinetic interactions. Although the review focuses on P-GP and the pharmacology of MDR reversal using MDR modulators, relevance of these drug transport proteins in the context of pharmacokinetic implications (drug absorption, distribution, clearance, and interactions) will also be discussed.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Norepinephrine and calcium responses to altered sodium intake in modulating and non-modulating high-renin hypertension.

Sodium sensitivity in subjects with high-renin hypertension has been associated with non-modulation of cardiovascular and biochemical responses to alteration in sodium intake. Using the percentage suppression of plasma renin activity in response to an increase in dietary sodium intake, high-renin hypertensive subjects were categorized in two groups. In association with the increase in sodium intake, modulators showed greater than 58% suppression of plasma renin activity, and significant reductions in mean arterial pressure, plasma aldosterone, norepinephrine and serum calcium concentration. Non-modulators had no significant change in plasma renin activity, mean arterial blood pressure, plasma aldosterone, norepinephrine or serum calcium concentration. The blood pressure response to an increase in dietary sodium intake may be a composite of responses of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis, the adrenergic nervous system and calcium regulatory system.

Aldosterone↗

Modulation of phosphorylation of a 30-kD polyribosomal protein (pp30) by ACTH and spermine: comparison with modulation of brain protein synthesis.

Gel electrophoretic separation of proteins phosphorylated in a postmitochondrial supernatant fraction of brain in the presence of spermine or adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) indicated modulation in only one region (30 kD) of the gel. The 30-kD (pp30) protein together with enzyme activity catalyzing its phosphorylation and sensitivity of the phosphorylation to spermine and ACTH were retained in a free polyribosomal fraction of this extract. ACTH(11-24) inhibited phosphorylation at all the spermine or Mg2+ concentrations tested. Structure-activity studies revealed that the inhibitory activity within ACTH(1-24) resides in the sequences ACTH(11-24), (5-18, 17Lys, 18Lys)-NH2, (15-24), (7-16)-NH2, and (1-16)-NH2 and can also be found in certain polylysine fragments. Phosphorylation under conditions suitable for measuring protein synthesis revealed only one phosphoprotein (pp30), sensitive to both ACTH(15-24) and spermine. The possibility of a relationship between modulation of pp30 phosphorylation and modulation of brain cell-free protein synthesis is discussed in relation to the effects of ACTH, spermine, and Mg2+.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Second-line chemotherapy with a hybrid-alternating regimen of bolus 5FU modulated by methotrexate and infusional 5FU modulated by folinic acid in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer pretreated with 5FU. A phase 2 study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In vitro, methotrexate (MTX) is the best modulator for bolus 5-fluorouracil (5FU), whereas folinic acid (FA) is the best for continuous infusion. We evaluated the effect of 5FU modulated by both MTX (bolus administration) and FA (continuous infusion) as second-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Entry criteria were: at least one 5FU-based chemotherapy regimen as first-line treatment for metastatic disease, or progression within twelve months after 5FU-containing adjuvant therapy. Treatment schedule: MTX 200 mg/m2 i.v. days 1 and 15; 5FU 600 mg/m2 i.v. bolus, days 2 and 16; 5FU 200 mg/m2 i.v. continuous infusion for 21 days, starting on day 29; FA 20 mg/m2 i.v. bolus weekly during the three weeks of 5FU infusion. Cycles were repeated every 56 days. The primary end-point was tumour control rate, including partial responses and stabilizations. RESULTS: 34/35 patients enrolled were evaluable for response. Five (14.7%) had a partial response, 13 (38.2%) disease stabilization, and 16 (47.1%) progressed; tumour control rate was 52.9%. Median TTP was 5.8 months (95% CI 4.03-7.83); 29 patients had died. Median OAS was 15.9 months (95% CI 8.8-21.9). Toxicity was mild. CONCLUSIONS: The regimen constituted by 5FU modulated by MTX (bolus administration) and FA (continuous infusion) is active as second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The col-1 module of human matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2): structural/functional relatedness between gelatin-binding fibronectin type II modules and lysine-binding kringle domains.

Human matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) contains three in-tandem fibronectin type II (FII) repeats that bind gelatin. Here, we report the NMR solution structure of the first FII module of MMP-2 (col-1). The latter is described as a characteristic, globular FII fold containing two beta-sheets, a stretch of 3(1)-helix, a turn of alpha-helix, and an exposed hydrophobic surface lined with aromatic residues. We show that col-1 binds (Pro-Pro-Gly)6, a mimic of gelatin, with a Ka of approx. 0.42 mm(-1), and that its binding site involves a number of aromatic residues as well as Arg34, as previously found for the second and third homologous repeats. Moreover, the affinity of the in-tandem col-1+2 construct (col-12) toward the longer ligand (Pro-Pro-Gly)12 is twice that for (Pro-Pro-Gly)6, as expected from mass action. A detailed structural comparison between FII and kringle domains indicates that four main conformational features are shared: two antiparallel beta-sheets, a central 3(1)-helix, and the quasiperpendicular orientation of the two proximal Cys-Cys bonds. Structure superposition by optimizing overlap of cystine bridge areas results in close juxtaposition of their main beta-sheets and 31-helices, and reveals that the gelatin binding site of FII modules falls at similar locations and exhibits almost identical topological features to those of the lysine binding site of kringle domains. Thus, despite the minor (<15%) consensus sequence relating FII modules to kringles, there is a strong folding and binding site structural homology between the two domains, enforced by key common conformational determinants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Amplitude modulation of EPSPs in motoneurons in response to a frequency-modulated train in single la afferent fibers.

In anesthetized cats, single group Ia fibers were activated with a train of 52 stimuli whose interspike intervals were obtained from the discharge of a group Ia fiber in a walking cat (courtesy of Dr. G. E. Loeb, NIH). The EPSPs recorded in motoneurons to which the afferents projected were averaged in register (EPSP1, EPSP2, ..., EPSP52) in response to multiple presentations of the train at a rate (0.77 Hz) similar to the stepping rate of the cat. Amplitudes of these averaged EPSPs were found to be highly variable, depending both on afferent discharge rate and history of activation. The initial EPSP was generally potentiated, and EPSPs in the high-frequency (greater than 200 Hz) middle portion of the train were generally reduced in amplitude. Connections at which the first EPSP was most potentiated tended to be those which showed the most depression of EPSP amplitude during the high-frequency portion of the train. Thus, at some connections, modulation of EPSP amplitude during the frequency-modulated train was much greater than at other connections. In general, the extent of modulation was greater on low-rheobase motoneurons than on high-rheobase motoneurons. We suggest that these differences in transmission permit type S (i.e., low-rheobase) motoneurons, which on average generate the largest EPSPs, to reach threshold at low levels of input (size principle) but prevent excessive depolarization due to temporal summation during high-frequency stimulation.

Afferent Pathways↗

Sex hormones and the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen modulate weekly body weights and food intakes in adolescent and adult rats.

This study documented the effect of changes in male and female sex hormones and the selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) tamoxifen on weight gain and food consumption of rats from puberty to adulthood, and assessed whether age at onset of treatment affected outcome. In Study 1, male and female WKY rats were either neutered or sham-operated before puberty, and a subgroup of neutered females underwent estrogen replacement (ERT) at the age of puberty. In Study 2, subgroups of neutered females received either ERT or tamoxifen beginning well into the postpuberty period. Weekly body weight and food consumption were assessed, and food consumption was normalized to metabolic weight (body weight(0.67)). Neutering reduced the rate of weight gain in males (P < 0.05), but significantly increased it in females (P < 0.0001). ERT immediately reduced weight gain and prevented any further increase, resulting in weights below that of sham-operated females (P < 0.05). Tamoxifen prevented further weight gain and returned profiles to that of sham-operated females. Food consumption, normalized to metabolic weight, was similar in females and males, and both sexes showed a decrease through maturation to adulthood. Neutering decreased food consumption below that of sham-operated animals in both males and females (P < 0.05), and ERT returned it to sham levels. Despite the fact that tamoxifen had an effect on body weight similar to that of ERT, females receiving tamoxifen treatment consumed less food than both sham-operated and ERT females (P < 0.05). Weight gain is modulated by sex hormones in male and female rats, with both estrogen and tamoxifen exerting immediate effects in females, irrespective of the age at which treatment is initiated. Differences in food consumption do not appear to account for the effects of hormones and tamoxifen on body weight, suggesting that they exert a direct effect on overall body metabolism.

Aging↗

Phenylethylamine-induced release of noradrenaline fails to stimulate alpha 1-adrenoceptors modulating [3H]-acetylcholine release in rat atria, but activates alpha 2-adrenoceptors modulating [3H]-serotonin release in the hippocampus.

The modulation of the depolarization induced release of [3H]-acetylcholine by agonists acting on alpha-adrenoceptors was studied in superfused rat atrial slices. In this model, noradrenaline and methoxamine, but not UK 14304 reduced the potassium evoked release of [3H]-acetylcholine. The inhibitory action of these drugs was antagonized by the alpha 1 selective adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin. Propranolol, idazoxan and sulpiride did not antagonize the inhibition by noradrenaline of the potassium-evoked release of [3H]-acetylcholine. Exposure to amphetamine, beta-phenylethylamine, m- or p-tyramine, increased in a concentration-dependent manner the spontaneous outflow of [3H]-noradrenaline from atrial slices. Yet, these concentrations of the indirectly acting sympathomimetic amines, tested in the presence of an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAO), failed to modify the potassium evoked release of [3H]-acetylcholine. Desipramine 3 mumol/l or cocaine 10 mumol/l did not affect the release of [3H]-acetylcholine evoked by potassium stimulation. Under similar experimental conditions, beta-phenylethylamine facilitated the spontaneous outflow of [3H]-noradrenaline, and inhibited the electrically-evoked release of [3H]-serotonin from the hippocampus by activation of alpha 2-adrenoceptors. It is concluded that the release of acetylcholine from atrial cholinergic neurons can be modulated through inhibitory alpha 1-adrenoceptors, which are not activated when the release of noradrenaline is induced by indirectly acting sympathomimetic amines. In addition, amphetamine or structurally related amines do not activate directly recognition sites in the cholinergic postganglionic parasympathetic neuron to modify the release of [3H]-acetylcholine.

Acetylcholine↗

Schistosomal granuloma modulation. II. Specific immunogenic carbohydrates can modulate schistosome-egg-antigen-induced hepatic granuloma formation.

To further investigate the factors involved in the modulation of the schistosomal granuloma, mice were primed with immunogenic carbohydrates which were common to soluble egg antigen (SEA) and adult worm antigen. Mice sensitized with LewisX trisaccharide or lacto-N-fucopentaose-III (LNFP-III) displayed an increased cellular response towards SEA-coupled beads implanted in the liver by mesenteric injection, resulting in the formation of larger periparticular granulomas. When animals were sensitized with bovine serum albumin or a structurally related carbohydrate, an accelerated response was not seen. Since LNFP-III is built up of LewisX molecules, and LewisX carbohydrates are common to SEA and worm antigens such as the gut-secreted antigens CCA and CAA (two antigens that could prime egg-antigen-induced granuloma formation), this may explain why adult, live Schistosoma mansoni worms positively modulate egg-antigen-induced hepatic granuloma formation in the murine host. These observations provide new insights into the role of carbohydrates in parasite-host immunity and may yield important implications for choosing worm-derived antigens for the development of anti-schistosome vaccines.

Animals↗

Comparison of amplitude-modulated (direct) and frequency-modulated ambulatory techniques for recording ischemic electrocardiographic changes.

Continuous ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring of ST-segment configuration has become a useful technique for evaluation of myocardial ischemia. Concern that direct or amplitude-modulated (AM) recording and playback systems have inherent limitations that cause inaccurate ST-segment recordings has led to preference for frequency-modulated (FM) devices. To determine the accuracy of AM and FM ambulatory electrocardiographic systems, the signal was compared from the same set of 2 bipolar leads simultaneously recorded by standard electrocardiography and AM and FM recorders in 14 patients during treadmill exercise. Also, simultaneous AM and FM recorders were compared in 9 ambulatory patients in 16 monitoring sessions. The AM recording system accurately reproduced ST segments recorded during treadmill exercise (range 4.0 mm of ST-segment depression to 2.0 mm of ST elevation) when measured at the J point (r = 0.91, p less than 0.0001), and 0.08 second after the J point (r = 0.95, p less than 0.0001). FM recording was equally accurate (r = 0.89 and 0.95, respectively, p less than 0.0001). Similarly, during ambulatory recording, the AM technique accurately recorded maximal ST depression in each episode as recorded by the FM device (28 episodes, range 0 to 3 mm of ST depression, r = 0.85, p less than 0.0001). Both AM and FM ambulatory electrocardiographic systems can accurately reproduce ST-segment deviation associated with ischemia and can be used to monitor transient ST-segment changes in patients with coronary artery disease.

Ambulatory Care↗