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Biomedical subjects

A B Jones

Publications and source records attributed to A B Jones.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Development and evaluation of a novel dissolution apparatus for medicated chewing gum products.

A novel dissolution apparatus was developed for medicated chewing gum products. A prototype gum product containing phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride (PPA) was used to evaluate the apparatus. The apparatus consists of a conical Teflon base and a rotating, ribbed Teflon plunger suspended in a dissolution vessel. Parameters evaluated were rotation speed, plunger frequency, medium volume, medium type, medium sampling location, number of plunger ribs, and number of gum pieces. Samples were taken over a 20-min period and samples were analyzed by HPLC. Cumulative percentage released-versus-time profiles were obtained for each parameter evaluated. Statistical analysis of the gum product indicated that the only significant differences occurred at the lowest rotation speed and lowest plunger frequencies. A Level A correlation was found between the in vitro release profile for the 20-rpm and 30-cycles/min plunger frequency and the in vivo chew-out study.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical

The in vitro profile of selected 14-membered azalides.

The in vitro antimicrobial potency of 10-aza-9-deoxo-11-deoxyerythromycin A, the first member of a new class of macrolide antibiotic, was determined. Several other members of this family of azalide were prepared and similarly screened in order to begin to define the antibiotic potential of the class. The results indicate that the SAR for this structural type parallels that of other macrolides and that it offers no apparent benefit over known 15-membered azalides.

Anti-Bacterial Agents

Induction of cytochrome P-450IA1 in fetal rat liver by a single dose of 3-methylcholanthrene.

Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with a single ip dose of either olive oil or 40 mg/kg of 3-methylcholanthrene on gestation day 20 and sacrificed at various times after injection. Determination of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity 24 hr after injection revealed that treatment with 3-methylcholanthrene resulted in a 10.5-fold stimulation of enzymatic activity in liver 800 x g supernatants. Western blot analysis with monoclonal antibody 1-7-1 confirmed these results and demonstrated the presence of a 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible P-450 isozyme. Using Northern and slot blot techniques, the induction of steady-state levels of CYPIA1 RNA was shown to occur as early as 4 hr following 3-methylcholanthrene injection. CYPIA1 RNA levels were induced 31.6-fold over values obtained from oil-treated tissues at this time. This appears to be the optimal time to study changes in the levels of CYPIA1 RNA gene expression in the fetus following transplacental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. By 12 to 24 hr postinjection, the induction of CYPIA1 RNA levels declined to 3.5- to 8.5-fold above control values. These results demonstrate that the kinetics of induction of the CYPIA1 gene during the fetal period differed from that seen in adults.

Animals

Rectal bioavailability of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol from the hemisuccinate ester in monkeys.

Oral administration of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinal (delta 9-THC) was shown to result in low and erratic bioavailability, while the drug showed no bioavailability from various suppository formulations. delta 9-THC-Hemisuccinate was formulated as a prodrug for delta 9-THC in suppositories using Witepsol H15 base. The bioavailability of delta 9-THC from this formulation was evaluated in monkeys. The plasma levels of delta 9-THC and its metabolite 11-nor-delta 9-THC-9-COOH were determined using GC/MS analysis. The calculated bioavailability of delta 9-THC from this formulation was found to be 13.5%. Non-compartmental analysis of the plasma concentration data using statistical moments showed the mean residence time (MRT) for delta 9-THC in the body to be 3 h following iv administration of delta 9-THC or its hemisuccinate ester (3.4 and 2.7 h, respectively), as compared with 5.8 h following rectal administration of the delta 9-THC hemisuccinate. The observed rectal bioavailability of delta 9-THC from suppositories containing the hemisuccinate ester as a prodrug is of significant importance in developing an alternative approach to oral administration of the drug.

Administration, Rectal

Distribution of cytochrome CYP2E1 in murine liver after ethanol and acetone administration.

The effects of acetone and ethanol administration on cytochrome CYP2E1 in murine liver were investigated. A monoclonal antibody (Mab 1-98-1) specific to rat ethanol-inducible P450 recognized a major band of Mr 51,000 in Western immunoblots of mouse liver microsomes. This band was increased 1.8-fold by 10% ethanol in drinking water for 2 weeks, 4.7-fold by 1% acetone in drinking water for 1 week, and 2.5-, 2.1- and 6.8-fold by ethanol in a liquid diet for 9 days, 2 weeks and 3 weeks respectively. Immunohistochemical staining experiments with the same antibody showed specific localization in centrilobular regions of liver lobules, with variations in intensity that corresponded to differences detected in Western immunoblots. Uniform cellular increases in centrilobular staining occurred with all ethanol treatments, whereas a more heterogeneous increase in individual cells was noted after acetone. Lipid accumulation in hepatocytes was pronounced after 3 weeks on the ethanol liquid diet but was less so in other treatment groups, and thus did not consistently correlate with enzyme induction. Microsomal aniline p-hydroxylase activity was also induced by the acetone and ethanol treatments, with a progressive increase from 9 days to 3 weeks on the ethanol liquid diet. Changes in this activity in general paralleled those found with immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. The results demonstrate that (i) the mouse is a good model for correlative biochemical and histochemical studies of CYP2E1 induction, (ii) in the mouse liver, this P450 is preferentially localized in centrilobular regions constitutively as well as in induced states, (iii) the centrilobular pattern varies under different induction conditions, and (iv) there is a progressive inductive increase in CYP2E1 protein and enzyme activity with chronic ethanol treatment over at least 3 weeks.

Acetone

Long-term (imprinting) effects of transplacental treatment of mice with 3-methylcholanthrene or beta-naphthoflavone on hepatic metabolism of 3-methylcholanthrene.

Foetal mice of genotype AhbAhd (responsive to induction of metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAH]) or AhdAhd (non-responsive) were exposed transplacentally on gestation day 17 to a single dose of 3-methylcholanthrene (MC, 5-175 mg/kg) with or without prior treatment on day 15 with beta-naphthoflavone (beta NF, 150 mg/kg). The mothers were themselves either induction-responsive [(C57BL/6 x DBA/2)F1] or non-responsive (DBA/2). Metabolism of [14C]MC by homogenates of livers from the transplacentally-exposed offspring was quantified at 9 months of age (first experiment) or 13 months (second experiment) with or without prior inducing treatment with MC. The foetal exposure to MC had a permanent effect on MC metabolism by the adult hepatic homogenates in both experiments. In most instances the effect was positive in direction and small in magnitude (15-30%). It was dose-dependent with regard to transplacental MC, occurred in both induced (AhbAhd) and non-induced (AhdAhd) individuals, and was significant only when the mother and/or the foetus was inducible. beta NF itself did not have a positive imprinting effect. In some cases it either reduced or potentiated the long-term imprinting effect of MC, depending on the MC dose and the phenotype of the mother. These results confirm that transplacental exposure to a carcinogenic PAH may permanently alter metabolism of the chemical in later life, and indicate that this imprinting action is dependent on induced metabolism of the chemical in the mother and/or foetus.

Animals

Coca paste: chemical analysis and smoking experiments.

Several samples of Colombian and a sample of Peruvian coca paste were subjected to chemical analysis to ascertain the complexity of these products. A neutral and acid fraction and a basic fraction were analyzed by gas chromatography/flame ionization detection (GC/FID) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The basic fraction was also analyzed as its trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivative. Several gasoline residue components were identified in the neutral fraction. In addition to cocaine (greater than 60% in all cases), other alkaloids were identified. Lead and manganese analyses were carried out on these samples. While all the samples contained no lead (less than 45 ppm), most of the Colombian samples contained significant amounts of manganese (greater than 5%). Preliminary smoking experiments with a Colombian coca paste sample indicated that it behaves more like free cocaine than like a cocaine sulfate salt.

Alkaloids

Role of the maternal environment in determining susceptibility to transplacentally induced chemical carcinogenesis in mouse fetuses.

Treatment of pregnant mice with 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) causes lung and liver tumors in the offspring, the incidences of which are greatly influenced by the Ah locus regulated induction phenotype for aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity (AHH) in both the mother and fetuses. In order to examine the biochemical and molecular mechanisms responsible for the modulating effect of maternal environment on tumor susceptibility, reciprocal crosses between responsive C57BL/6 and non-responsive DBA/2 mice were made and the pregnant mothers were treated i.p. on the 17th day of gestation with either olive oil alone, 30 mg/kg of MC, or 30 mg/kg of beta-naphthoflavone (beta NF). At various times after injection, the mothers were killed and the fetuses removed for enzymatic and molecular blot analysis. In fetal lung tissues, the absolute levels and relative induction ratios of AHH activity from D2B6F1 fetuses were very similar to those obtained in B6D2F1 fetuses during the first 24 h following a transplacental exposure to either inducing agent. This was also the case 48 h after an injection of beta NF. However, 48 h after exposure to MC, the AHH activity in fetal lungs from B6 mothers had declined to practically control values, whereas fetal lungs from D2 mothers still exhibited a high level of AHH activity. Similar induction kinetics for the CYPIA1 gene were obtained in fetal livers. These results were confirmed at the RNA level by quantitative slot-blot analysis of fetal RNA preparations. In both organs, treatment with inducing agents for the P450IA1 gene resulted in a rapid and early induction of CYPIA1 RNA by 4 h. Fetuses from D2 mothers, however, showed a more sustained induction of CYPIA1 RNA following exposure to MC than did fetuses from B6 mothers. These results suggest that the observed increase in tumor susceptibility observed in the offspring of D2 mothers compared to the offspring of B6 mothers was due, at least in part, to the differences in the persistence of induction of the CYPIA1 gene locus, and may be the result of differences in the clearance rates of MC from the fetal and maternal compartments or its pharmacokinetic distribution in the two types of maternal environments.

Animals

In vitro evaluation of hemolytic and cell culture toxicity potential of residual ethylene oxide in selected medical materials.

The hemolytic potential of pure ethylene oxide in solution was evaluated as a function of initial ethylene oxide concentration in three test systems, diluted whole blood in isotonic saline, erythrocytes washed and resuspended in isotonic saline, and erythrocytes washed and resuspended in isotonic phosphate buffer. Concentrations of 2 mg/ml (2000 ppm) were necessary before cell lysis was observed in either of the isotonic saline systems. This value increased to 10 mg/ml 10,000 ppm) in the isotonic buffer system. Efforts have been made to correlate the hemolysis and cell culture toxicity of residual ethylene oxide in five medical materials to the toxicity of pure ethylene oxide. Only materials exhibiting a low order of inherent toxicity showed any correlation. In poly(vinyl chloride) tubing containing 1.8 and 2.1 mg ethylene oxide per gram of material, a small amount of toxicity was seen in the cell culture system but toxicity was absent in the hemolysis test.

Blood

Departmental review in medical schools: focus and functions.

Approximately two-thirds of all U.S. and Canadian medical schools have provisions for the evaluation of their departments on a periodic or ad hoc basis. Most of these institutions have initiated the departmental review process since 1970. It appears that use of the practice is increasing and is becoming an important tool in providing guidance for departmental activities, programs, and leadership. Departmental review may be conducted in a variety of ways with varying levels of intensity, flexibility, and skill, depending on the environment, resources, dean, department chairmen, faculty, and attitudes of university administrators. Departmental review may be employed to identify, elaborate, document, and/or contribute to the resolution of current and potential organizational concerns. When carefully administered, the process can be a stabilizing rather than a disruptive force; however, by itself, it does not solve major institutional problems.

Canada

Upper extremity total joint replacement.

Current techniques of total joint replacement surgically correct badly destroyed joints by the insertion of plastic and metal components, which are secured to the skeleton by methylmethacrylate cement. This approach began in England in 1962 and in the United States in 1967. Recent development in the field of upper extremity joint replacement allow implementation of refined total shoulder, elbow, and wrist prostheses. Although less experience has been gained with these prostheses than with total hip and knee replacements, preliminary results are encouraging.

Arm

Spontaneous perforation of the bile ducts in infancy.

The clinical features of spontaneous perforation of the bile ducts in infancy differ sufficiently from those of other causes of neonatal jaundice to allow early preoperative diagnosis as demonstrated by a report of this condition in a 6-week-old infant. Despite its rarity, the clinician should be aware of this entity because early recognition and surgery will ensure cure in almost all cases. The cause of spontaneous perforation of the bile ducts is unknown. Trauma, congenital weakness and abnormal bile are considered as possible etiologic factors.

Age Factors

Taming effects of p-chlorophenylalanine on the aggressive behavior of septal rats.

Septal irritability and shock-induced aggression were suppressed by the administration of p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) to septal rats. The levels of septal irritability and shock-induced fighting were significantly lower in septal, PCPC-treated rats than in nontreated septal rats. Since both parameters of septal aggression were reduced by PCPA, and while PCPA has no effect on shock-induced fighting of unlesioned rats under similar parameters, it appears that both forms of aggression may function through a common neural mechanism.

Aggression