Autonomous replication in mouse cells: a correction.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to D Gilbert.
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The action of a reactive oxygen intermediate, that is, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on modulation of synaptic transmission was examined in the hippocampal brain slice preparation. Microinjection of H2O2 into the apical dendritic region of the CA1 pyramidal cells produced no change in either the pattern or amplitude of paired pulse facilitation compared to saline injection (control). Long term potentiation (LTP), induced by high frequency stimulation of homosynaptic inputs, however, was blocked by microinjection of H2O2 into the dendritic tree. LTP was seen in only 2 out of 10 slices investigated when treated with H2O2 while LTP was seen in 4 out of 5 slices when saline injected. The results suggest that a reactive oxygen intermediate can selectively modify synaptic mechanisms in the hippocampus.
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Two commercial adhesive preparations--fibrin glue and mussel adhesive protein (MAP)--were tested in-vivo for their ability to fix a chondrocyte allograft internally. While results for the fibrin, including additional testing for chondro inductive/conductive properties, were at best inconclusive, the results for MAP are highly promising.
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Previous studies have shown that cefoperazone given in frequent, large doses is effective in the treatment of infection in patients with cancer. The pharmacodynamics of 2- and 4-g doses of cefoperazone administered either as a single dose or at 12-hour intervals were studied in an in vitro model that simulates infection in a neutropenic patient. One strain each of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC] = 2 micrograms/ml), Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 1 microgram/ml), Escherichia coli (MIC = 0.06 micrograms/ml), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (MIC = 0.25 micrograms/ml) was studied. The initial dose reduced the inoculum by approximately 3 logs for the Pseudomonas and the staphylococci and 3 to 5 logs for the other organisms. No significant differences in killing were found between the 2- and 4-g doses. Regrowth of Pseudomonas and staphylococci occurred with the single dose but not with the every-12-hour regimen. These data support the clinical use of cefoperazone in doses every 12 hours.
Using hydrophobic affinity chromatography on phenyl-Sepharose, human complement factor H can be separated into two subpopulations, phi 1 and phi 2. Although phi 1 and phi 2 are known to differ in their aggregation properties under non-physiological low ionic strength conditions, no difference in aggregation state was detected under the conditions used for cell-binding experiments. We have investigated these two subpopulations further to determine whether functional differences exist between them. The subpopulation phi 2 was found to bind specifically and saturably to the surface of Raji cells. The binding of the other subpopulation, phi 1, was low, and essentially non-specific. A monoclonal anti-factor H antibody, BGH-1, was raised which recognizes preferentially the phi 2 subpopulation and inhibits the binding of factor H to cell surfaces.
The renal handling of vancomycin is unknown. Previously reported studies have not achieved steady-state conditions with constant vancomycin concentrations. We measured systemic vancomycin clearance simultaneously with the renal clearances of vancomycin, creatinine, inulin, and para-aminohippurate in nine healthy subjects at steady-state serum vancomycin concentrations of 7 and 14 mg/L. For all steady-state observations the renal clearance of vancomycin was 89 +/- 11 ml/min (mean +/- SE), the clearance of inulin 105 +/- 9 ml/min, the clearance of creatinine 117 +/- 9 ml/min, and the clearance of para-aminohippuric acid 496 +/- 41 ml/min. The systemic clearance of vancomycin was 131 +/- 7 ml/min. The clearances of creatinine, inulin, and para-aminohippuric acid and the renal clearance of vancomycin were not statistically different at both steady-state vancomycin concentrations. The ratio of the renal clearance of vancomycin to the clearance of inulin was 0.89 +/- 0.06 and to creatinine clearance 0.79 +/- 0.05. Both ratios were independent of vancomycin concentration, urine flow rate, and filtration fraction. The systemic clearance of vancomycin was 10% greater at serum vancomycin concentrations of 14 mg/L than at 7 mg/L (p less than 0.05) because of an increase in the nonrenal clearance. Therefore in healthy subjects, 30% of the systemic vancomycin clearance is by nonrenal mechanisms and this nonrenal clearance is concentration dependent. Assuming protein binding to be between 10% and 20%, renal vancomycin excretion is predominantly by glomerular filtration. Small amounts of tubular vancomycin transport cannot be excluded by these techniques.
The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a 200-mg intravenous dose of ciprofloxacin were studied in normal volunteers and in an in vitro dynamic model that exposes bacteria to changing concentrations of the drug in a neutropenic setting. Peak ciprofloxacin concentrations in vivo averaged 3.2 micrograms/ml. The terminal serum elimination half-life averaged 4.2 hours. The volume of distribution of ciprofloxacin was large and consistent with extensive extravascular distribution. Slightly less than half of the dose was recovered unchanged in urine by 48 hours after infusion. The median serum bactericidal titer against a strain of Escherichia coli was 1:16 or more for at least six hours after infusion, but was only 1:2 against a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa immediately after the end of the infusion. Pharmacodynamic studies in the in vitro model with a simulated regimen of 200 mg administered intravenously every 12 hours demonstrated rapid and complete killing of this strain of E. coli following the first 200-mg "dose." For the strain of P. aeruginosa, an initial bactericidal effect was observed due to the eradication of susceptible subpopulations of bacteria; however, regrowth of resistant organisms was observed. These data suggest that a regimen of 200 mg administered intravenously every 12 hours results in rapid killing of susceptible bacteria. Higher doses or combination therapy may be required to prevent the emergence of resistant P. aeruginosa in this model and in the setting of neutropenia.
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Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated human monocyte-like cells (U-937) were found to synthesize the third component of complement (C3), as shown by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoprecipitation from [35S]methionine-labelled culture supernatants. C3 synthesis occurred at a rate of about 160 ng of C3/24 h per 10(6) cells on day 7 after addition of PMA; it was blocked by cycloheximide treatment and was restored after removal of the inhibitor. SDS/polyacrylamide-gel-electrophoretic analysis of the immunoprecipitated protein showed that the size and subunit structure of the newly synthesized C3 were identical with those of plasma C3, and that a single-chain intracellular precursor was present in the cell lysates. Haemolytic assays showed that the synthesized C3 fully expressed functional activity in early culture within 4 h. After longer culture, a loss of haemolytic activity was observed. The possibility that newly secreted C3 is cleaved by U-937 cells themselves was suggested.
We used a system of co-culture of adult rat hepatocytes with another epithelial cell type from rat liver to study the synthesis of two acute-phase reactants, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (alpha 1AGP) and the third component of complement (C3), and we have obtained long-term secretion of these two proteins. After a period of adaptation corresponding to the first 2-4 days of the co-culture, hepatocytes secreted C3 and alpha 1AGP for at least 2 weeks at a mean level higher than that observed in the first days of a pure culture of hepatocytes. When pulse-chase analysis was performed on day 6 of co-culture, kinetics of synthesis of alpha 1AGP and C3 were the same as those observed on day 1 of a conventional culture of pure hepatocytes. Furthermore, intracellular and extracellular alpha 1AGP had Mr values respectively of 39,000 and of 42,000-52,000, identical with those observed in pure cultures of hepatocytes. Similarly, the molecular size and subunit structures of C3 were the same in co-culture and in cultures, indicating an identical processing of this protein. C3 produced in co-culture was also haemolytically active. Therefore, the system of adult hepatocytes co-cultured with this liver epithelial cell provides a physiological system in vitro which permits long-term synthesis of the two acute-phase reactants C3 and alpha 1AGP. This model opens the possibility to study the modulation of the synthesis of these two proteins during a long period by inflammatory agents or by hormones.
Cultured human retinal pigment epithelium was injected into the vitreous of owl monkeys. The epithelial cells were derived from either a foetal or an adult cell line. The five monkeys which were injected with cultured foetal cells developed substantial vitreal membranes and had retinal detachment by 2 weeks, whereas the five monkeys with cultured adult cells did not develop detachments within the period of investigation, and vitreal membranes were insubstantial. An electron-microscopic, immunohistochemical and autoradiographic study was conducted on these eyes to investigate in detail the behaviour and intraocular effects of the injected cells.
We studied the value of transcutaneous carbon dioxide (PtcCO2) monitoring during neonatal transport. Thirty-two neonates with respiratory distress were alternately enrolled in an experimental group (results of PtcO2 and PtcCO2 available for clinical management) and a control group (results of only PtcO2 available). Although differences were not significant, infants in the experimental group had more changes in the intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) settings during transport, and more such infants arrived at the receiving hospital with acceptable pH and PCO2 values. On arrival at the receiving hospital, two patients in the control group had acidosis and hypercarbia and were placed on IMV immediately on arrival. No such patients were encountered in the experimental group. For patients needing IMV during transport, the percentage of study time spent with PtcCO2 measurements in the normal range (35 to 45 torr) was greater for the experimental group (p less than .02). Continuous PtcCO2 monitoring during transport offers the opportunity to further decrease the risks of transporting a critically ill neonate.