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Biomedical subjects

C A Stone

Publications and source records attributed to C A Stone.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Morpheme learning of children with specific language impairment under controlled instructional conditions.

Three groups of children were exposed to instances of a novel morpheme under controlled experimental conditions. The performance of 32 children with specific language impairment (SLI), aged 5:0 to 7:0 years (years:months), was compared to that of 24 normally developing children matched for age and nonverbal ability and 20 younger normally developing children matched for language development and nonverbal ability. The children were taught under two instructional conditions that differed only in whether the child was asked to imitate the new language form after each instance (imitation) or just to observe its use (modeling). Consistent with past research (Connell, 1987b), the children with SLI performed significantly better under the imitation condition than under modeling, but the age-matched controls showed no difference in response to instruction. The performance of the language-matched controls was similar to that of the age-matched controls, suggesting that the instruction-specific effect for the children with SLI is not merely a function of general language immaturity. Although the superiority of the imitation condition for the children with SLI was evident for test trials requiring production of the new morpheme (as in past research), no such effect was evident for comprehension trials. This differing effect of output demands suggests that the SLI-specific response to instruction is not a matter of different mastery of the new rule but rather is specific to the need to access the newly induced rule on production trials. The accessing of phonological representations as a possible explanation for the effect is discussed.

Audiovisual Aids

Individual differences in the self-image of adolescents with learning disabilities: the roles of severity, time of diagnosis, and parental perceptions.

The self-images of 49 adolescents with learning disabilities (Grades 9 through 12, mean age = 15.9) and 49 normally achieving peers (Grades 9 through 12, mean age = 16.0) were compared using the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire (OSIQ). The group with LD scored significantly lower than the comparison group on 4 of the 10 OSIQ scales. Later-diagnosed adolescents with LD scored significantly higher than early-diagnosed adolescents on two of the scales. Severity of the learning disability was not found to be related to self-image scores. In a second study, parental perceptions of the self-images of 28 of the 49 students with LD were studied by administering the Offer Parent-Adolescent Questionnaire (OPAQ) and an informal questionnaire to their parents. On 6 of the 10 OPAQ scales, parents perceived their children as having a lower self-image than the adolescents themselves reported. Significant but moderate relationships were found between parents' perceptions and adolescent self-image scores. Results of the two studies are interpreted in terms of a multidimensional conception of self-image that considers factors inherent to the individual as well as interpersonal and institutional factors.

Adult

Leucogyrophana pinastri, a wood decay fungus as a probable cause of an extrinsic allergic alveolitis syndrome.

Two patients were suspected of having extrinsic allergic alveolitis due to exposure to an agent in their home environment. On inspection of their houses, fungal decay was evident in the floorboards, and fungal spores were found deposited on many surfaces. The decay fungus was later identified as Leucogyrophana pinastri. Using an extract of the fruiting bodies and mycelium of this fungus, precipitating antibodies were identified in the sera of both patients. Based on the known exposure by the two patients to these small spores, the absence of a likely alternative allergen, the similarity between these two cases, and the positive precipitin test results, L. pinastri was considered to be the most likely cause of extrinsic allergic alveolitis in our cases.

Adolescent

The role of bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of suspected opportunistic pneumonia.

We report 50 immunocompromised patients with pulmonary infiltrates who underwent fibreoptic bronchoscopy, including bronchoalveolar lavage, on 56 occasions. The underlying diseases were mostly lymphoma, leukemia, other malignancies and renal failure. The commonest immunodeficiency factors were chemotherapy, steroids and neutropenia. A positive diagnosis could be made from analysis of the bronchoalveolar lavage on 59% (33/56) occasions. This was a comparable yield to transbronchial lung biopsy 57% (16/27), and superior to proximal airways wash 24% (13/55), or bronchial brushings 29% (10/34). Open lung biopsy added additional diagnostic information in three of the four cases in which it was performed. The most common final diagnoses were bacterial, viral or Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and recurrent malignancy. We conclude that bronchoalveolar lavage is a safe procedure with a high diagnostic yield in the immunocompromised host with suspected opportunistic pneumonia.

Bacterial Infections

On the pharmacology of L-645,151: a topically effective ocular hypotensive carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.

L-645,151 [(2-sulfamoyl-6-benzothiazolyl)-2,2-dimethylpropionate] is the O-pivaloyl ester of L-643,799 (6-hydroxybenzothiazole-2-sulfonamide), topically administered L-645,151 being a substrate for ocular esterases with the resultant liberation of the active moiety, L-643,799, during penetration of the ocular surface. The minimum concentrations of topically administered suspensions (1 drop of 50 microliters into both eyes) of L-645,151, L-643,799, dichlorphenamide and methazolamide significantly lowering the elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) of the alpha-chymotrypsinized rabbit eye were 0.25, 2, 10 and 5%, respectively. IOP was not significantly decreased by 10% suspensions of acetazolamide or ethoxzolamide. The IOP lowering action of L-645,151 was local as the unilateral instillation of L-645,151 (0.25%) into the contralateral eye was devoid of effect in alpha-chymotrypsinized rabbits. L-645,151 (2%) decreased aqueous humor inflow in both the conscious rabbit and the anesthetized dog. Outflow facility in the conscious rabbit was unaltered by a 10% suspension of L-645,151. Low peak levels (0.52 microgram/g) of L-643,799 were present in rabbit renal cortex after the instillation of L-645,151 (2%) into both eyes; this treatment did not induce diuresis in the conscious rabbit. The corresponding maximum concentration in the iris + ciliary body was 4.01 micrograms/g. These preclinical studies reveal that L-645,151 is the most potent, topically effective ocular hypotensive carbonic anhydrase inhibitor described to date.

Administration, Topical

R-enantiomer of timolol: a potential selective ocular antihypertensive agent.

Various studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of timolol, an S-enantiomer, relative to its R-enantiomer upon intraocular pressure and related ocular systems in the rabbit. The R-enantiomer was about one-third as potent as timolol in displacing 3H-dihydroalprenolol binding to iris-ciliary body tissue, reducing aqueous humor formation, and lowering intraocular pressure of alpha-chymotrypsin hypertensive eyes. In contrast, the R-enantiomer was 50 to 90 times less potent than timolol in antagonizing the effects of isoproterenol on pulmonary and atrial beta-adrenergic receptors. The data indicate that the R-enantiomer may lower intraocular pressure in man at concentrations less likely than timolol to block extraocular beta-adrenergic receptors. Finally, to account for the differential effect of the R-enantiomer upon ocular as opposed to extraocular beta-adrenergic receptors, it is tentatively suggested that this agent may also act upon a population of ocular beta-adrenergic receptors showing relatively poor stereoselectively.

Animals

Studies on L-640,035: a novel antagonist of contractile prostanoids in the lung.

The effects of L-640,035 (3-hydroxymethyl-dibenzo [b,f] thiepin-5,5-dioxide) have been studied on pulmonary smooth muscle contraction in vitro and in vivo. When studied in vitro on guinea-pig tracheal chains, L-640,035 produced significant shifts in the dose-response curves to a prostaglandin (PG) endoperoxide analogue (U-44069) (pA2 7.0), PGF2 alpha (pA2 5.9) and PGD2 (pA2 6.5). L-640,035 produced no significant shift in the dose-response curves to leukotriene D4 or histamine and produced a small but statistically significant shift in the dose-response curve to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) (pA2 5.2). With the exception of PGF2 alpha, Schild analysis did not in general indicate competitive inhibition. The main metabolite of L-640,035, L-636,499, also produced significant parallel shifts in the dose-response curves to U-44069 (pA2 6.0) and PGF2 alpha (pA2 6.0), but with some reduction in the maximal contraction. When L-640,035 was administered intravenously to guinea-pigs, significant inhibition of increases in pulmonary resistance or insufflation pressure induced by U-44069 (ED50 0.16 mg kg-1), leukotriene D4 (ED50 0.25 mg kg-1) and 5-HT (ED50 3.4 mg kg-1) but not histamine (ED50 greater than 10 mg kg-1) was observed. When L-640,035 was administered intravenously to dogs a significant inhibition of increases in pulmonary resistance induced by U-44069 (ED50 0.85 mg kg-1) but not histamine (ED50 greater than 30 mg kg-1) was observed. 5 When L-640,035 was administered by the intraduodenal route to dogs at doses of 3 and 10 mg kg- significant inhibition of increases in pulmonary resistance induced by sodium arachidonate (3 mgkg1 i.v.) was observed with a duration of action of > 255 min. 6 It is concluded that L-640,035 is a novel, relatively selective, and orally active antagonist of the actions of contractile prostanoids on pulmonary smooth muscle.

Airway Resistance

Piperazinylquinoxalines with central serotoninmimetic activity.

Regioselective syntheses of substituted 2-chloroquinoxalines and derived 2-(1-piperazinyl)quinoxalines are described. Selectivity in regards to serotonin reuptake blocking and serotoninmimetic activities of the piperazinylquinoxalines is reported. In general, introduction of a 6-substituent into the piperazinylquinoxaline enhanced serotonin reuptake blocking activity and diminished serotoninmimetic activity. Unsubstituted and 3-hydroxypiperazinylquinoxalines had primarily serotoninmimetic activity.

Animals

Effect of N-[(S)-1-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl]-L-Ala-L-Pro and its ethyl ester (MK-421) on angiotensin converting enzyme in vitro and angiotensin I pressor responses in vivo.

The parent diacid (N-[(S)-1-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl]-L-Ala-L-Pro of MK-421 inhibited hog plasma angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) by 50% (I50) at a concentration of 1.2 nM and was 17 times more potent than captopril. In vitro the I50 for MK-421, an ethyl ester, was 1200 nM because de-esterification did not occur. Similarly in the guinea-pig ileum, the diacid inhibitor and MK-421 potentiated the contractile effects of bradykinin at an AC50 of 77 pM and 18 nM, respectively. Inhibition of the pressor effects of angiotensin I by the diacid ACE inhibitor occurred at an ID50 of 8.2 micrograms/kg i.v. in rats and 6.4 micrograms/kg i.v. in dogs. Thus, the diacid was approximately 12 times more potent than captopril. The ID50 for MK-421 was 14 and 278 micrograms/kg i.v. in rats and dogs, respectively, because of differences in the rates of de-esterification. Oral ACE inhibitory activity was determined by blockade of the pressor effects of angiotensin I in conscious rats and dogs. In rats, but not in dogs, the diacid inhibitor was poorly absorbed, whereas MK-421 was well absorbed in both species. MK-421 inhibited the pressor effects of angiotensin I at 0.1 to 3.0 mg/kg p.o. for at least 6 hr in rats and dogs, and compared to captopril was 8.6 times more potent in rats and 4.6 times more potent in dogs. These data demonstrate that MK-421 and its parent diacid are potent, long-lasting orally active inhibitors of ACE. In addition, the low activity of MK-421 in vitro contrasts with its substantial in vivo activity, and supports the hypothesis that MK-421 is a prodrug that first must be de-esterified to permit full expression of its significant in vivo pharmacological activity.

Administration, Oral

A new class of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

Much current attention focuses on the renin-angiotensin system in relation to mechanisms controlling blood pressure and renal function. Recent demonstrations (ref. 1, ref. 2 and refs therein) that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors show promising clinical antihypertensive properties have been of particular interest. We now report on the design of a novel series of substituted N-carboxymethyl-dipeptides which are active in inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme at nanomolar levels. We suggest that these compounds are transition-state inhibitors and that extensions of this design to other metalloendopeptidases merit further study.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

2-Mercaptoacetamidines as gastric antisecretory agents.

A series of N-substituted 2-mercaptoacetamidines was synthesized and evaluated for gastric antisecretory activity in dogs stimulated with gastrin tetrapeptide. The most potent analogues showed 80--95% inhibition of acid secretion after an oral dose of 8 mg/kg. Thus, these compounds represent a new structural type having significant antisecretory activity. Disulfides had essentially the same antisecretory potency as the corresponding mercaptoacetamidines, indicating a metabolic interconversion. Alkylation of the mercapto group decreased potency. Higher carboxamidine homologues such as 2- and 3-mercaptopropionamidines had very low activity. Hydroxyacetamidines and mercaptoacetamides also had low potency. Side effects observed with this series of compounds included emesis, tachycardia, and gastric bleeding.

Amidines

Stereospecific antidopaminergic and anticholinergic actions of the enantiomers of (+/-)-1-cyclopropylmethyl-4-(3-trifluoromethylthio-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene) piperidine (CTC), a derivative of cyproheptadine.

(+/-)-CTC, a cyproheptadine derivative, possesses both antidopaminergic and anticholinergic activities which can be resolved, respectively, into its component (-)- and (+)-enantiomers. Both in vivo (antagonism of apomorphine-induced stereotypy, elevation of striatal homovanillic acid) and in vitro (inhibition of [3H]haloperidol binding), (-)-CTC was less active than haloperidol but more potent or equipotent compared to chlorpromazine. (+)-CTC was a more potent anticholinergic agent in vitro (inhibition of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding) than either thioridazine or clozapine, whereas in vivo (antagonism of the lethal action of physostigmine) the three compounds were similar. Comparison of the racemate with (-)-CTC in several in vivo test procedures to determine the influence of intrinsic anticholinergic activity showed that the presence of the anticholinergic (+)-enantiomer had little effect on the ability of (-)-CTC to antagonize apomorphine or elevate striatal homovanillic acid, whereas the activity of (-)-CTC was reduced in tests for postural asymmetry, avoidance and catalepsy. Stereoselectivity was also observed in terms of the alpha adrenergic blocking activity of CTC (inhibition of [3H]WB 4101 binding) which resides exclusively in the (-)-enantiomer. The ratios of (+)-CTC and (-)-CTC in terms of their anti-alpha adrenergic/antidopaminergic properties were large, suggesting a low propensity for the elicitation of orthostatic hypotension and sedation.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists

Diuretic and antihypertensive effects of 2-aminoethyl-4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-6-iodophenol hydrochloride (MK-447).

2-Aminomethyl-4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-6-iodophenol hydrochloride or MK-447, is a chemically novel diuretic agent which produced diuretic and saluretic effects in rats, dogs and chimpanzees. At doses ranging from 0.1 to 10 mg/kg p.o. (0.32-32 mumol/kg) MK-447 was more effective then furosemide at the same or higher doses in increasing the excretion of Na+, K+ and Cl- in rats and dogs. At single oral doses, MK-447 had antihypertensive activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats and renal hypertensive dogs. Other diuretics are known to lower arterial pressure in these models only by repeated administration. The antihypertensive and diuretic effects of MK-447 in spontaneously hypertensive rats were reduced by indomethacin.

Animals

Piperazinylpyrazines with central serotoninmimetic activity.

A series of 2-(1-piperazinyl)pyrazines was synthesized and evaluated for central serotonin-like activity. The most interesting member of the series, 6-chloro-2(1-piperazinyl)pyrazine (3a), had pharmacological properties characteristic of potent central serotoninmimetic activity and only weak peripheral serotoninmimetic action. Structural similarities between 3a and serotonin are discussed.

Animals