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Biomedical subjects

A A Anderson

Publications and source records attributed to A A Anderson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A possible role of the junctional face protein JP-45 in modulating Ca2+ release in skeletal muscle.

We investigated the functional role of JP-45, a recently discovered protein of the junctional face membrane (JFM) of skeletal muscle. For this purpose, we expressed JP-45 C-terminally tagged with the fluorescent protein DsRed2 by nuclear microinjection in myotubes derived from the C2C12 skeletal muscle cell line and performed whole-cell voltage-clamp experiments. We recorded in parallel cell membrane currents and Ca(2+) signals using fura-2 during step depolarization. It was found that properties of the voltage-activated Ca(2+) current were not significantly changed in JP-45-DsRed2-expressing C2C12 myotubes whereas the amplitude of depolarization-induced Ca(2+) transient was decreased compared to control myotubes expressing only DsRed2. Converting Ca(2+) transients to Ca(2+) input flux using a model fit approach to quantify Ca(2+) removal, the change could be attributed to an alteration in voltage-activated Ca(2+) permeability rather than to altered removal properties or a lower Ca(2+) content of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Determining non-linear capacitive currents revealed a reduction of Ca(2+) permeability per voltage-sensor charge. The results may be explained by a modulatory effect of JP-45 related to its reported in vitro interaction with the dihydropyridine receptor and the SR Ca(2+) binding protein calsequestrin (CSQ).

Animals↗

Identification of a novel 45 kDa protein (JP-45) from rabbit sarcoplasmic-reticulum junctional-face membrane.

Using a biochemical/immunological approach to analyse the protein constituents of skeletal-muscle junctional-face membrane (JFM), we identified a 45 kDa protein. Its N-terminal amino acid was blocked, but the amino acid sequence obtained from several peptides after proteolytic treatment did not significantly match that of any protein present in the SwissProt and NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) databases. We synthesized a peptide whose sequence matched that of one of the peptides obtained after CNBr cleavage of the 45 kDa protein; the peptide was conjugated to a carrier and used to raise antibodies. The antiserum was used to study in more detail the biochemical characteristics of the novel 45 kDa protein. Analysis of the proteins present in different subcellular membrane fractions show that the novel 45 kDa polypeptide: (i) is an integral membrane constituent present both in neonatal and adult skeletal-muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum; (ii) is selectively localized in the JFM; (iii) is not present in microsomes obtained from rabbit heart, liver or kidney. Immunoprecitation with anti-(45 kDa protein) antibody indicates that the 45 kDa protein is part of a complex which can be phosphorylated in vitro by the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A.

Age Factors↗

Biological derivation of a range of cephalometric norms for children of African American descent (after Steiner).

The purpose of this study was to report a normal range of anteroposterior apical base differences and concomitant interincisor inclinations and locations derived from a sample of American children (12 to 16 years) of African descent with normal occlusion (statistically defined). Standard cephalometric radiographs of 40 boys and 40 girls were traced and the Steiner Analysis performed. In addition to the ANB angle, 6 supplemental anteroposterior apical base separation estimators were measured, mean values established, and correlation (r) associations performed. The range of anteroposterior apical base difference was -0.5 degrees to 9.5 degrees estimated by the ANB angle or a linear distance of +/-6.5 mm using the Wits Appraisal. The angular and linear distance of the upper incisor to NA line (compensations) ranged from a low of 12 degrees and 3 mm to a high of 39 degrees and 14 mm. The angular and linear distance of the lower incisor to the NB line ranged from a low of 17 degrees and 3 mm to a high of 47.5 degrees and 17.5 mm. Biologically, the results suggested a wide range of equally acceptable sagittal apical base relationships and associated compensations in upper and lower incisor inclinations; normal occlusion was viewed as the reference point. Considering the usage of such descriptive terms as "ideal," "acceptable compromises," and "individualized treatment goals," to describe the angulation and inclination of the incisor teeth, the need for a distinction between biologically derived reference norms and esthetic preference reference norms is apparent when analyzing normal occlusion.

Adolescent↗

Quantitative analysis of immunohistological changes in the synovial membrane of sheep infected with Maedi-Visna virus.

We have carried out a quantitative immunohistological analysis of synovial membrane from the joints of clinically arthritic sheep naturally infected with Maedi-Visna virus (MVV) and compared the results to subclinically affected joints (carpal and tarsal) from infected sheep and to joints from a control population. Significantly elevated numbers of all three T lymphocyte subsets (CD4+, CD8+ and gamma delta) were found in the synovia from clinically arthritic sheep compared to controls. There was also a significant increase in the number of CD8+ T lymphocytes in the carpal synovium of subclinically arthritic animals. In both clinically arthritic and subclinical disease states CD8+ T cells predominated over CD4+ T cells and T cells bearing the gamma delta T cell receptor. Significant increases were also observed in the numbers of cells staining for MHC class II antigens in the synovial lining cell layer and subintimal cell populations of synovia from clinically arthritic sheep. These increases were apparent in the subintimal cell population at the subclinical stage of disease. Macrophage-like cells staining for the viral core protein p15 were observed in some of the most inflamed samples. The data are thus consistent with a disease process driven by chronic viral antigen presentation to infiltrating T cells, and could serve as a model for elucidating the mechanisms underlying some types of inflammatory joint disease in man.

Animals↗

Investigation of AC-DC magnetic field effects in planar phospholipid bilayers.

Observations recently reported by others indicate that a combination of a weak dc magnetic field and extremely-low-frequency ac magnetic field can produce resonant effects in biological systems. We report measurements of the effects of combined dc and ac magnetic fields on the dc current through channel-free planar phospholipid membranes. The combined dc-ac magnetic fields did affect the dc current through planar phospholipid membranes, but not in every membrane, and not consistently at the same values of magnetic flux density and frequency. None of our measurements showed resonant response akin to the cyclotron-like resonance reported in diatoms [Smith et al., 1987] and lymphocytes [Liboff et al., 1987].

Electromagnetic Fields↗

Resonant ac-dc magnetic fields: calculated response.

An elementary model consisting of one charged particle in a viscous medium exposed to weak ac-dc low-frequency magnetic fields is analyzed to identify and explain the fundamental characteristics of the physical mechanisms that result in a resonance response, which is similar to the familiar cyclotron resonance. The model predicts both frequency and amplitude windows, which are explained in terms of synchronization of the particle with electric fields. Although extrapolation of model results to biological systems is limited by the elementary nature of the model, the model results indicate that observed resonant responses by others of biological systems to ac-dc magnetic fields are probably not due to resonant response of ions in solution, since the model predicts that no resonant response is possible unless the viscous damping is very low, many orders of magnitude lower than the viscous damping of ions in solution.

Magnetics↗

Zopiclone and nitrazepam: a multicenter placebo controlled comparative study of efficacy and tolerance in insomniac patients in general practice.

The efficacy and tolerance of zopiclone were compared with nitrazepam and placebo in a multicenter double-blind parallel-group study in insomniac patients. Following a 7-day placebo washout period, 99 patients (age range 20 to 69 years) received oral capsules of 7.5 mg zopiclone or 5 mg nitrazepam or placebo for 2 weeks. During the fourth week all patients received placebo treatment. Sleep assessments by the patients showed that, compared with placebo, zopiclone and nitrazepam improved all sleep measures of efficacy from the first night and that effectiveness was maintained throughout treatment. The physicians global assessment of efficacy also favored zopiclone and nitrazepam over placebo treatment. Subjective morning drowsiness during treatment was significantly less for zopiclone than for either nitrazepam or placebo and represents a clear advantage for ambulatory patients. No rebound insomnia was evident during a 7 day post-treatment withdrawal period for either zopiclone or nitrazepam. Tolerance was good for all treatments.

Adult↗

Pipothiazine palmitate in the management of aggressive mentally handicapped patients.

The efficacy of intramuscular pipothiazine palmitate (PP) in the management of aggressive mentally handicapped patients was examined in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study, in which 30 patients received each treatment for 13 weeks. A target symptom scale of aggressiveness (TSA) and a clinical global impression scale of efficacy were rated at monthly intervals, and an extra-pyramidal side-effects scale weekly. The patients showed marked improvement during treatment with PP, which was assessed as superior to placebo. Individual and total TSA scores were also reduced compared to placebo.

Adult↗

The release of prostaglandin E2 from the skin of the plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L.

1 A fungal extract which produces a cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction in the plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L., was incubated in vitro with the skin of this teleost fish. Samples of incubation media were assayed for smooth muscle stimulating activity. 2 Prostaglandin E2 was identified by bioassay, thin-layer chromatography, ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy and gas chromatography--mass spectrometry. Release from challenged skin was maximum after 60 min incubation. 3 Analysis of the fatty acid composition of plaice skin showed that although arachidonic acid was present (3% of total fatty acids), the precursor of prostaglandin E3, eicosapentaenoic acid contributed 9% of total. 4 Indomethacin (50 mg/kg i.p) did not inhibit the erythema induced by the fungal extract, whilst a dose of 1 mg/kg maximally inhibited prostaglandin release from skin on incubation in vitro. 5 It is concluded that prostaglandins do not have an exclusive role in the mediation of the hypersensitivity reaction.

Animals↗

Investigation of occurrence of tolerance to bronchodilator drugs in chronically pretreated guinea-pigs.

1 The actions of sympathomimetic amines on isolated preparations of atria, trachea and ileum were studied in vitro in guinea-pigs, which had been pretreated for 5 or 12 days, by subcutaneous injection, with adrenaline (5 mug/kg), salbutamol (0.5 mug/kg), salbutamol (0.5 mug/kg), methoxamine (250 mug/kg) or saline (0.9% w/V NaCl solution). 2 In the trachea, a decrease in sensitivity (tolerance) to the relaxant effect of adrenaline was induced by pretreatment, for 12 but not for 5 days, with adrenaline. In these animals, cross-tolerance to isoprenaline or salbutamol was not observed. Tolerance to the relaxant actions of adrenaline isoprenaline or salbutamol was not observed after pretreatment with salbutamol. 3 In the trachea, pretreatment with methoxamine or adrenaline for 12 days did not change the sensitivity to the alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated contractor action of methoxamine. 4 In the atria from those guinea-pigs pretreated with adrenaline or salbutamol, there was no reduced sensitivity to the beta-adrenoceptor agonist actions of adrenaline, isoprenaline or salbutamol. In animals pretreated with methoxamine or adrenaline, there was no observable tolerance or cross tolerance to methoxamine with respect to its alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated positive inotropic action in the atria and no unequivocal evidence of a reduced sensitivity to that action of adrenaline. 5 It was confirmed that the twitch-like contractions of the longitudinal muscle of the electrically stimulated ileum were inhibited by sympatomimetic amines acting on alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors. There was no reduced sensitivity to the inhibitory actions of noradrenaline or isoprenaline on the twitch of ileum isolated from animals pretreated with adrenaline, salbutamol or methoxamine for 5 or 12 days. 6 From our results on these three preparations from the same animals, it is concluded that generalizations regarding changes in sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines following their prolonged administration should not be made in any one species.

Animals↗