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Biomedical subjects

J C Collins

Publications and source records attributed to J C Collins.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Metabolic studies in a mouse model of hepatorenal tyrosinemia: absence of perinatal abnormalities.

Radiation induced chromosomal deletions at the albino locus in the mouse, lethal when homozygous, cause abnormalities of expression of several unlinked liver specific genes. Recently, the gene encoding FAH was shown to be included in the deletions. Since in humans FAH mutations cause tyrosinemia type I, deletion homozygous mice were suspected of having tyrosinemia. Studies of plasma amino acids did not confirm this suspicion. Also, succinylacetone levels were normal in fetal and newborn livers of deletion homozygotes. The present evidence, therefore, does not support the assumption that the earlier described ultrastructural and enzyme abnormalities in deletion homozygotes are secondary effects of tyrosinemia caused by the deletion of FAH.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors

Resources for getting started in modeling.

Modeling is a useful component of scientific investigation in nutrition. Nutrition scientists who would like to incorporate modeling into their studies frequently do not know where or how to begin. This paper describes a selected assortment of books, journals and articles, resource groups and individuals and computer software that may be of help to the beginning modeler and to those more experienced in modeling as well.

Computer Simulation

Effects of physical stress on complete blood count and venous blood gas profile of individuals with sickle cell trait.

The association between sickle cell trait (SCT) and adverse effects of exercise has been controversial. While individuals with SCT are at higher risk of sudden death, the mechanism for this outcome remains to be elucidated. In order to shed light on this controversy, we have monitored venous blood count and blood gas parameter values in normal and SCT subjects during treadmill exercise. White and red blood cell counts and hemoglobin changed significantly over time in both the SCT and normal groups, with peak exercise values different from pre-exercise or post-exercise values. Red blood cell counts showed significant group-time interaction; increase in count during exercise was accentuated in SCT subjects. All blood gas parameters showed significant changes over time in both groups. O2 content was significantly higher in SCT than AA at all time intervals. O2 saturation, pO2 and CO binding to hemoglobin showed significant group-time interaction. Furthermore, O2 saturation for the combined groups was significantly greater at peak exercise and at rest than before exercise. It is possible that treadmill exercise causes microvascular shunting in SCT subjects, leading to a decrease in the peripheral utilization of oxygen.

Adult

Occult traumatic pneumothorax: immediate tube thoracostomy versus expectant management.

Occult pneumothorax is pneumothorax identified by computed tomography but not seen on conventional chest radiographs. Twenty-seven occult traumatic pneumothoraces in 26 patients were identified retrospectively at the authors' level I trauma center. Of these, 24 patients survived to discharge or transfer; 2 died of brain injury. Eleven patients were treated immediately with tube thoracostomy (TT) and 13 were observed with interval chest radiography. The authors' data support the conclusion that it is safe to withhold immediate TT in patients who are hemodynamically stable. Close clinical observation and interval chest radiography can identify those patients who require subsequent TT. Prospective study of larger numbers of patients is needed to confirm the safety and cost efficacy of this approach.

Adolescent

Indistinguishability and identifiability analysis of linear compartmental models.

Two compartmental model structures are said to be indistinguishable if they have the same input-output properties. In cases in which available a priori information is not sufficient to specify a unique compartmental model structure, indistinguishable model structures may have to be generated and their attributes examined for relevance. An algorithm is developed that, for a given compartmental model, investigates the complete set of models with the same number of compartments and the same input-output structure as the original model, applies geometrical rules necessary for indistinguishable models, and test models meeting the geometrical criteria for equality of transfer functions. Identifiability is also checked in the algorithm. The software consists of three programs. Program 1 determines the number of locally identifiable parameters. Program 2 applies several geometrical rules that eliminate many (generally most) of the candidate models. Program 3 checks the equality between system transfer functions of the original model and models being tested. Ranks of Jacobian matrices and submatrices and other criteria are used to check patterns of moment invariants and local identifiability. Structural controllability and structural observability are checked throughout the programs. The approach was successfully used to corroborate results from examples investigated by others.

Computer Simulation

Erythropoietin response to anemia as a function of age.

The erythropoietin (EPO) response to anemia was assessed for 244 subjects aged 1-64 years (mean 45.2 years) and 121 subjects aged 65-94 years (mean 68.3 years). Subjects included non-anemic individuals as well as those with anemia of various etiologies, excluding renal disease and pregnancy. Significant inverse correlations between serum immunoreactive EPO and hematocrit were noted for both groups. Regression lines failed to show a significantly lower slope or y-intercept for older compared to younger subjects. EPO levels were not significantly lower for older compared to younger subjects when controlled for hematocrit level. These results suggest that the EPO response to anemia in older subjects is similar to that of younger subjects.

Adolescent

Isolation and characterization of lactose permease mutants with an enhanced recognition of maltose and diminished recognition of cellobiose.

In the present study, lactose permease mutants were isolated which have an enhanced recognition toward maltose (an alpha-glucoside) and diminished recognition for cellobiose (a beta-glucoside). Nine mutants were isolated from a strain encoding a wild-type permease (pTE18) and nine from a strain encoding a mutant permease which recognizes maltose (pB15). All 18 mutants were subjected to DNA sequencing, and it was found that all mutations are single base substitutions within the lac Y gene effecting single amino acid substitutions within the protein. From the pTE18 parent, substitutions involved Tyr-236 to Phe or His; Ser-306 to Thr; and six independent mutants in which Ala-389 was changed to Pro. From pB15, Tyr-236 was changed to Phe or Asn, Ser-306 to Thr or Leu, Lys-319 to Asn, and His-322 to Tyr, Asn, or Gln. All 18 mutants exhibited enhanced recognition for maltose (compared with the pTE18 strain) and a diminished recognition for cellobiose. In addition, all mutants showed a diminished recognition toward beta-galactosides as well. The Phe-236, His-236, Leu-306, Asn-319, Tyr-322, Asn-322, and Gln-322 mutants were completely defective in the uphill accumulation of methyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside whereas the Asn-236, Thr-306, and Pro-389 mutants could effectively accumulate methyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside against a concentration gradient. The mutants obtained in this study, together with previous lactose permease mutants, tend to be found on transmembrane segments, and those which are on the same transmembrane segment are often found three or four amino acids away from each other. This pattern is consistent with a protein structure in which important amino acid side chains project from several transmembrane segments in such a way as to form a hydrophilic channel for the recognition and transport of H+ and galactosides. It is proposed that the mechanism for H+/lactose cotransport is consistent with a "flanking gate" model in which the protein contains a single recognition site for galactosides within the channel which is flanked on either side by gates.

Base Sequence

Hepatic peroxisomal abnormalities in abetalipoproteinemia.

Spinocerebellar degeneration in a 17-yr-old boy with abetalipoproteinemia was associated with vitamin E deficiency and hepatic steatosis. In liver biopsy samples before and after 15 mo of vitamin E treatment, hepatocellular peroxisomes were morphologically abnormal; pleomorphic, with a broadened range of sizes; often larger than normal; and with marginal bars in some. In the first sample, peroxisomes exhibited matrical heterogeneity and dense nucleoids. Peroxisomes in the second biopsy sample lacked nucleoids and contained more homogeneous matrices. The mean peroxisomal diameter increased from 0.77 +/- 0.33 to 0.86 +/- 0.32 microM (normal, 0.62 +/- 0.14). These observations raise the possibility that peroxisomes may be involved in the metabolism of apolipoprotein B or may be affected by the disturbances of hepatocellular lipid metabolism caused by this disease.

Abetalipoproteinemia

Rapid assessment of average ratios: application to turnover studies.

The calculation of a set of ratios from two sets of paired experimental data is a common practice. The ratio of the averages of two sets is in general not equal to the average of the ratios of individual pairs, and there is no predictable relation if both sets of data are unspecified real numbers. However, we prove here that the ratio of averages is the minimum bound for the average of ratios if the numerators of each ratio are identical. This is the practice for many steady-state turnover experiments, and thus summary data can be reliably utilized in this case.

Data Interpretation, Statistical

Regulation of intestinal biotin transport in the rat: effect of biotin deficiency and supplementation.

The effect of biotin deficiency and supplementation at pharmacological doses on the intestinal transport of the vitamin was examined in the rat using a brush-border membrane vesicle (BBMV) technique. Transport of biotin in both jejunal and ileal BBMV was significantly (P less than 0.05-0.01) higher in biotin-deficient rats compared with control (pair-fed) rats. This increase in biotin transport appeared to be specific because transport of D-glucose was similar in the two rat groups. The increase in biotin transport in the deficient rats appeared to be mediated through a marked increase (146-230%) in the Vmax of the biotin transport process (with minimal change in the apparent Km), suggesting an increase in the number of the transport carriers. In contrast, supplementation at pharmacological doses of biotin caused significant (P less than 0.05-0.01) and specific decrease (suppression) in biotin transport compared with (unsupplemented) controls. The suppression of biotin transport in the supplemented rats appeared to be mediated through a marked decrease (58%) in the Vmax of the biotin transport process (with minimal change in the apparent Km), suggesting a decrease in the number of the transport carriers. These results provide evidence that biotin transport in the intestine is regulated by the level of the vitamin in the diet (and/or body stores). Furthermore, the results demonstrate the ability of the small intestine to adapt to the challenge of deficiency of an essential nutrient, a capability that may be crucial for the survival of the animal.

Animals

Color aftereffect contingent on text.

During adaptation, two different letter strings (each five or six letters) were presented to subjects alternately, one in green and the other in magenta. The extent to which these letter strings subsequently elicited a color aftereffect was assessed. In different experiments, the chromatic letter strings consisted of words and nonwords. The results indicated that letter strings that form English words can contingently elicit a color aftereffect. This was the case even when the words were anagrams. There was no evidence that nonword letter strings could contingently elicit such an aftereffect, even when the nonwords conformed to English orthography. The results are relevant to understanding other contingent color aftereffects (McCollough effects), illusory color noted by computer operators who work at monochrome (green or amber) displays, and the processing of text.

Adult

Biotin-dependent expression of the asialoglycoprotein receptor in HepG2.

The asialoglycoprotein receptor (AsGR) is characteristic of fully differentiated hepatocytes. AsGR expression in confluent cultures of HepG2 cells grown in minimal essential medium (MEM) requires a 300-350-dalton dialyzable fraction of fetal bovine serum (FBS). Addition to dialyzed FBS (dFBS) of 10(-7) M biotin or biocytin (Mr 372) permitted full expression of AsGR by HepG2. Affinity chromatography of FBS on streptavidin-Sepharose abolished its ability to support AsGR production. The bound material, when released by heat denaturation and resolved by thin layer chromatography, yielded three cinnamaldehyde-positive components, of which the major detectable one migrates with authentic biocytin and reconstitutes dFBS. Sera from several species, which do not support AsGR production by HepG2, contain less than 10% biotin found in FBS as determined by direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. These results indicate that biotin or a derivative is the low molecular weight serum factor of FBS required for expression of AsGR. Isolation of messenger RNA from HepG2 revealed no difference in AsGR transcripts when cells were grown in MEM-10% FBS or MEM-10% dFBS. Thus a biotin-dependent post-transcriptional event permits the ultimate expression of the AsGR by HepG2 cells.

Actins

The influence of ranitidine on the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of doxorubicin in rabbits.

The influence of ranitidine on the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of doxorubicin was studied in six female New Zealand white rabbits. Plasma pharmacokinetic data were first obtained from rabbits given 3 mg/kg doxorubicin. After 1 month, the same rabbits were treated with ranitidine, 2.5 mg/kg or 25 mg/kg, before and during doxorubicin administration. The plasma doxorubicin assays to determine pharmacokinetic parameters were repeated. Drug toxicity was evaluated using complete blood counts, and hepatic function was measured using a 14C-aminopyrine breath test. High-dose ranitidine increased the total exposure to doxorubicin (area under the curve of doxorubicin alone = 1.44 +/- 0.88 microM.h/ml vs 4.49 +/- 2.35 microM.hr/ml for doxorubicin given with high-dose ranitidine; P = 0.06). Low-dose ranitidine did not alter doxorubicin pharmacokinetics. Exposure to doxorubicinol was altered by either high-dose or low-dose ranitidine. 14C-Aminopyrine half-life was altered by a ranitidine dose of 25 mg/kg (aminopyrine half-life after placebo control = 97 +/- 6 min as against aminopyrine half-life after ranitidine = 121 +/- 7 min; mean +/- SEM; P less than 0.02). Low-dose ranitidine did not exacerbate doxorubicin-induced myelosuppression. High-dose ranitidine enhanced doxorubicin-induced erythroid suppression while sparing the myeloid series. At cytochrome P-450-inhibitory doses, ranitidine's effects upon doxorubicin plasma pharmacokinetics are similar to those previously seen with cimetidine. These changes did not appear to alter drug detoxification and are not related to microsomal inhibition of doxorubicin detoxification. Low doses of ranitidine do not alter doxorubicin plasma pharmacokinetics or toxicity in rabbits.

Aminopyrine

Comparison of two laser Doppler flowmetry systems for bone blood flow analysis.

The development of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) has provided a real-time, reliable method for monitoring capillary perfusion in multiple tissues. LDF has potential for the experimental and clinical assessment of bone blood flow. To compare the accuracy and ease of use of two commercially available laser Doppler flowmeters with different mechanisms for processing the Doppler-shifted component of light, estimates of bone blood flow were obtained in a sheep model using the two systems, and the values derived then compared with estimates of bone blood flow also obtained in a sheep using the technique of injection of labeled microspheres. The single-channel laser Doppler flowmeter, the LD 5000, processes the reference and Doppler-shifted beams on the surface of a single photodetector using optical heterodyning for measurement. The dual-channel flowmeter, the Periflux 2, uses two optical fibers to transmit reference and Doppler-shifted light to two separate photodetectors. The differential amplification and detection system improves the signal-to-noise ratio. Measurement of both metaphyseal (cancellous) and diaphyseal (cortical) blood flow using both LDF systems was compared with values obtained with an injection of 85Sr-labeled microspheres in three sheep. The LDF measurements were repeated after occlusion of the left femoral artery, and a 46Sc microsphere injection was performed prior to animal sacrifice. Two of the animals developed vasomotor instability, resulting in poor correlation between the measurements obtained with the Periflux 2, which is motion sensitive, and the values obtained with the microsphere method. High correlation was apparent in two of the three animals for the LD 5000 and the microsphere values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

The effect of random measurement errors on kinetic transport parameter estimation.

Saturation kinetics experiments, in which uptake U of a substance across a transport barrier is measured as a function of initial concentration difference C, are used to describe transport of nutrients. Many such processes are characterized by low- and high-affinity systems in which kinetic parameters Vmax and Km differ by orders of magnitude. Transformations of equations to straight-line relationships between U and C are popular methods of parameter estimation. The aims of this study are (1) to show effects of random errors in U measurement on Vmax and Km estimation in a two-affinity process under several transformations: Lineweaver-Burk (1/U vs. 1/C), Hanes (C/U vs. C), Eadie-Hofstee (U/C vs. U), and Wolff (U vs. U/C), and (2) to indicate strategies for minimizing effects of errors. Two transport properties will illustrate: an ideal process of low- (Vmax = 100, Km = 10) and high-affinity (Vmax = 1, Km = .1) systems to which random error is added, and experimental uptake of 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid by isolated hepatocytes.

Age Factors