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Biomedical subjects

J Donaldson

Publications and source records attributed to J Donaldson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Inhibition of angiogenesis and murine tumour growth by laminarin sulphate.

LAM S5 is a polysulphated derivative of the glucan laminarian that inhibits basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) binding and the bFGF-stimulated proliferation of fetal bovine heart endothelial (FBHE) cells. This report demonstrates that LAM S5 has anti-angiogenic activity, as shown by inhibition of tubule formation by endothelial cells cultured on Matrigel and inhibition of vascularisation of the chick chorioallantoic membrane. In addition, LAM S5 caused a tumour growth delay of the murine RIF-1 tumour of 2.6 days (P = 0.01).

Animals↗

Microbial ecology of Campylobacter jejuni in a United Kingdom chicken supply chain: intermittent common source, vertical transmission, and amplification by flock propagation.

A study of Campylobacter jejuni on a broiler chicken farm between 1989 and 1994 gave an estimated isolation rate of 27% (3,304 of 12,233) from a 0.9% sample of 1.44 million broiler chickens from six to eight sheds over 32 consecutive rearing flocks comprising 251 broiler shed flocks. During the study, C. jejuni was found in 35.5% of the 251 shed flocks but only 9.2% (23 of 251) had Campylobacter isolates in successive flocks, with 9 of those 23 sheds having the same serotype between consecutive flocks, indicating a low level of transmission between flocks. Analysis of a systematic sample of 484 of 3,304 (14.6%) C. jejuni isolates showed that 85% were of 10 serotype complexes but 58% were of 3 serotype complexes, indicating a high degree of strain similarity throughout the entire study. The three commonest types were detected in 8 of 32 flocks during the 5-year study period, suggesting an intermittent common external Campylobacter source. This hypothesis was tested by a retrospective cohort analysis of C. jejuni rates and types by reference to hatchery supplier of the 1-day-old chicks. Isolation rates of C. jejuni and frequency distribution of types were determined in 6-week-old broiler chickens identified by the hatchery supplying the original chicks. The isolation rate of C. jejuni in broilers, supplied by hatchery A, was 17.6%, compared to 42.9% (P < 0.0001) for broilers reared from chicks supplied by hatchery B. In two instances, when both hatcheries were used to stock the same farm flock, Campylobacter isolates were found only in those sheds with chicks supplied by hatchery B. Thus, the frequency distribution of Campylobacter types for chickens supplied by the two hatcheries over the 5-year period showed marked dissimilarity. These findings suggest that the isolation rate and type of Campylobacter isolates in broiler chickens was associated with the hatchery supplying chicks. The lack of diversity of types and the intermittent high positivity of sheds is evidence for a common source of C. jejuni introduced by vertical transmission rather than contamination at the hatchery or during transportation.

Animals↗

Clinical features of hematopoietic malignancies and related disorders among benzene-exposed workers in China. Benzene Study Group.

Previous occupational cohort studies of benzene-exposed workers have for the most part used only death certificates to validate diagnoses of workers developing leukemia and other hematopoietic and lymphoproliferative malignancies and related disorders (HLD). In a follow-up study of 74,828 benzene-exposed workers and a comparison group of 35,805 nonexposed workers from 12 cities in China, we sought to characterized clinicopathologically and to confirm diagnoses of all cases of HLD. Using medical records, laboratory hematology results, and histopathology, U.S. and Chinese expert hematopathologists, blinded to exposure status, carried out a detailed review using standardized evaluation forms. Key among the findings were a notable diversity of malignant and nonneoplastic hematopoietic and lymphoproliferative disorders, documentation of excess myelodysplastic syndromes among benzene workers, and widespread dyspoiesis involving all hematopoietic cell lines. As sophisticated clinicopathologic characterization and corresponding classification schemes for HLD become increasingly widespread, it is recommended that future epidemiologic investigations of benzene workers incorporate similarly detailed morphologic evaluation. In extending follow-up of this cohort of young workers, we will continue to use all available clinical, laboratory hematology, and pathology data as well as cytogenetic and biochemical markers to characterized various HLD outcomes. These careful surveillance mechanisms should also provide additional insight into carcinogenic mechanisms of benzene and allow comparison of the molecular pathogenesis of HLD induced by benzene versus chemotherapy, radiation, or other exposure.

Adult↗

Graphical presentation of trends in rates.

A variety of graphical approaches have been used to visually portray and analyze temporal trends, especially annual rates of change, in disease rates. In reviewing their own work, the authors have found that they could improve on their graphical presentations by choosing an arithmetic or logarithmic scale according to the research question being addressed, by selecting scaling ratios of the axes that allow one to detect specific rates of change, and by using uniform scaling ratios to facilitate comparisons across graphs. Different presentations of the same data can result in different impressions. The authors used rates over a 40-year period to illustrate the concepts involved and to investigate the portrayal of various rates of change. These principles extend to the plotting of odds ratios or relative risks, where the choice of an arithmetic rather than a logarithmic axis also can result in a misleading plot. The authors conclude that a graph should be designed and studied with care, clearly reflect the truth, convey information, and make a point without overemphasizing. For the particular problem addressed here, displaying temporal trends in disease rates, they see advantages in justifiable uniformity. Attention to plotting techniques in the epidemiologic and medical literature should be encouraged.

Epidemiologic Methods↗

Protein binding modulates inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor kinase and DNA synthesis by tyrphostins.

Inhibition of growth factor-stimulated DNA synthesis carried out in defined medium is often compared with inhibition of serum-stimulated DNA synthesis so as to assess the selectivity of growth-factor-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as tyrphostins. We investigated whether protein binding may influence the interpretation of these experiments. Protein binding of tyrphostins was determined by ultrafiltration, equilibrium dialysis or spectrophotometer, and was quantitated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). For growth factor-stimulated DNA synthesis, we used the non-small-cell lung cancer cell line L23/P stimulated by transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha). The epidermal growth factor (EGF)-receptor kinase was assayed by phosphorylation of a peptide substrate or by receptor autophosphorylation. Protein binding of a number of tyrphostins ranged from 64% to 98%. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.995) between the degree of protein binding and the hydrophobicity. Inhibition of the EGF-receptor tyrosine kinase activity by the highly protein-bound tyrphostin B56 [N-(4-phenylbutyl)-3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene cyanoacet-amide] was reduced by bovine serum albumin (BSA), but BSA had less of an effect on inhibition of the EGF-receptor kinase by the weakly protein-bound tyrphostin A47 (RG 50864: 3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene cyanothioacetamide). Tyrphostins B46 [N-(3-phenylpropyl)-3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene cyanoacetamide] and B56 (both highly protein-bound) inhibited DNA synthesis of L23/P cells with approximately 3-fold greater potency in 0.5% serum than in 10% serum, but the inhibition of DNA synthesis in 0.5% serum was reduced by the addition of BSA. Tyrphostins B46 and B56 inhibited DNA synthesis stimulated by TGF alpha in defined medium to a greater extent than DNA synthesis stimulated by serum. However, this apparent selectivity for inhibition of TGF alpha-stimulated DNA synthesis was lost when the protein concentration in the defined medium was made equivalent to that in the serum-containing medium. By contrast, BSA enhanced the selective inhibition of TGF alpha-stimulated DNA synthesis by tyrphostin A47. These results demonstrate that protein binding accounts for the apparent selectivity of some highly protein-bound tyrphostins for TGF alpha-stimulated DNA synthesis of L23/P cells. Therefore, protein binding should be taken into consideration in assessments of the selectivity of tyrphostins.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Characterisation of a laminarin sulphate which inhibits basic fibroblast growth factor binding and endothelial cell proliferation.

We have evaluated a series of laminarin sulphates with different degrees of sulphation (0.3-2.3) as antagonists of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and as inhibitors of the bFGF-dependent endothelial cell line FBHE. Inhibition of binding of bFGF by the laminarin sulphates increased with increasing degree of sulphation. Binding of bFGF to low affinity sites on BHK cells was inhibited more strongly than binding to high affinity sites. IC50 values for inhibition of binding to low and high affinity sites by the most highly sulphated laminarin sulphate (LAM S5; degree of sulphation 2.31) were 12 +/- 8 micrograms/ml and 69 +/- 66 micrograms/ml, respectively. LAM S5 dissociated bFGF from low affinity sites on BHK cells but not from high affinity sites. LAM S5 increased the electrophoretic mobility of bFGF indicating that LAM S5 binds directly to bFGF. LAM S5 reduced uptake of bFGF by FBHE cells by 67%. Increasing the degree of sulphation of laminarin sulphates increased the inhibition of bFGF-stimulated DNA synthesis of the endothelial cell line FBHE (IC50 for LAM S5 approx. 1 microgram/ml). There was no inhibition of DNA synthesis of FBHE cells by LAM S5 in the presence of 1 microgram/ml bFGF indicating that bFGF antagonism is involved in the anti-proliferative activity of this compound. LAM S5 may be of value against diseases associated with bFGF-dependent cell proliferation.

Animals↗

Malignant ureteral obstruction: treatment with metal stents--technique, results, and observations with percutaneous intraluminal US.

PURPOSE: To test the technical feasibility and results of placement of metal stents into ureters obstructed by extensive tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six consecutive patients (two men and four women, aged 35-66 years and with incurable malignancies) underwent insertion of metallic endoprostheses in nine obstructed ureters through percutaneous tracts. RESULTS: Metal stents were inserted without technical difficulty in all obstructed ureters. The stents functioned well in four patients. In two patients, the metal were not tolerated and plastic double-J stents were placed through the metal stents; this permitted effective functioning and withdrawal of the protective external catheter. Intraluminal ultrasonography depicted stent clogging and debris, dimensions of stent opening, and tumor level. CONCLUSION: Insertion of metal stents in the ureter is technically straightforward and was well tolerated by patients. However, the efficacy is variable, and a greater beneficial effect than is achieved with plastic stents is not established.

Adult↗

Colonization of broiler chickens by waterborne Campylobacter jejuni.

Chickens on a broiler farm in southern England were found to be colonized with Campylobacter jejuni of a single serotype, Lior 1 Penner 4. The farm was the sole supplier of a local slaughterhouse associated with a campylobacter outbreak in 1984 caused by this serotype. The serotype persisted on the farm for at least 18 months after the outbreak; its prevalence in the human population served by the farm remained high until it disappeared from the farm in 1986. The possible sources and routes of transmission of C. jejuni to the broilers on the farm were investigated. The results showed that vertical transmission, feed, litter, small mammals, and environmental or airborne cross-contamination between sheds or successive crops could be excluded as persistent sources of C. jejuni. The predominant source of C. jejuni on the farm was shown to be the water supply. Direct microscopy and fluorescent antibody methods revealed presumptive campylobacters throughout the farm's water system. Campylobacter-free chickens raised in an animal house and given water from the farm supply became colonized with the serotype of C. jejuni endemic on the farm (Lior 1 Penner 4). An intervention program based on water chlorination, shed drinking system cleaning and disinfection, and withdrawal of furazolidone from feed reduced the proportion of birds colonized with campylobacter from 81 to 7% and was associated with a 1,000- to 10,000-fold reduction in campylobacters recoverable from the carcasses. Two months after the end of the intervention program colonization of the birds returned to high levels (84%), indicating that there was a temporal association between intervention and reduced colonization with C. jejuni. Investigations continue to establish the general applicability of these findings.

Animal Feed↗

Modulation of carbachol-induced inositol phosphate formation in bovine tracheal smooth muscle by cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors.

An investigation was made of a range of agents capable of elevating tissue cyclic AMP levels, or acting as a stable analogue of cyclic AMP, upon carbachol induced inositol phosphate responses in bovine tracheal smooth muscle slices. Whereas the beta 2 adrenoceptor agonist salbutamol (1 microM) and the membrane permeable analogue of cyclic AMP, 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (1 mM) were without effect upon total [3H]inositol phosphate formation induced by carbachol, 3-iso-butyl-1-methylaxanthine (IBMX) (EC50 140 microM), the high Km, cyclic AMP selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram (EC50 41 microM) and theophylline (EC50 76 microM) all inhibited the inositol phosphate response to low (1 microM) concentrations of carbachol. IBMX (IC50 13 microM), rolipram (IC50 4.6 microM) and theophylline (IC50 180 microM) all relaxed bovine tracheal muscle strips precontracted with methacholine (1 microM). The adenylate cyclase activator forskolin (1 microM), produced a much smaller (10% inhibition) effect upon inositol phosphate formation induced by carbachol. Carbachol (1 microM-1 mM) did not inhibit forskolin induced [3H]cyclic AMP formation. An inhibitor of the cyclic GMP preferring phosphodiesterase isozyme, M&B 22948 (1-100 microM), was without effect upon either carbachol induced inositol phosphate formation or trachealis tone. It is concluded that IBMX, rolipram and theophylline inhibit carbachol stimulated inositol phosphate formation, possibly through a cyclic AMP independent mechanism.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Discriminatory effects of forskolin and EGTA on the indirect cyclic AMP responses to histamine, noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and glutamate in guinea-pig cerebral cortical slices.

The effects of forskolin (1 microM) and EGTA (5 mM) on indirect cyclic AMP responses in slices of guinea-pig cerebral cortex were examined. Forskolin had little effect on the direct 2-chloroadenosine-stimulated cyclic AMP response. However, it completely abolished the glutamate-induced augmentation of this response. In contrast, forskolin had very little effect on the indirect cyclic AMP responses to noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and histamine. Conversely, rapid removal of extracellular calcium with EGTA 2 min before addition of the indirectly acting agent markedly reduced the augmentation responses produced by these latter agonists, but had little effect on the glutamate augmentation. When EGTA was added once a steady level of cyclic AMP had been achieved with the indirect agents, it was without effect on any of the responses. Thus, calcium appears to have a role in the early, but not the later, stages of the noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and histamine responses. A role for protein kinase C in the glutamate augmentation response was suggested, because forskolin inhibited the augmentation of the 2-chloroadenosine response produced by phorbol esters (which mimic the actions of diacylglycerol in activating protein kinase C). We conclude that there is more than one mechanism by which the augmentation of cyclic AMP responses can occur.

Animals↗

Modulation of fluoroaluminate-induced inositol phosphate formation by increases in tissue cyclic AMP content in bovine tracheal smooth muscle.

1. The effect of fluoroaluminate complexes (AlCl3 plus NaF) upon smooth muscle tone, [3H]-inositol phosphate accumulation and [3H]-cyclic AMP accumulation has been investigated in slices of bovine tracheal smooth muscle. 2. Fluoroaluminate (10 microM AlCl3 + various concentrations of NaF) elicited concentration-dependent contractions of bovine tracheal smooth muscle strips at concentrations of NaF in the range 1-10 mM. The resultant contractile response was reversed by isoprenaline (50 nM) and was preserved in calcium-free medium. 3. Fluoroaluminate stimulated [3H]-inositol phosphate formation at concentrations of NaF over 1 mM. The response to 20 mM NaF + 10 microM AlCl3 was 164 +/- 29% of the response to 1 mM histamine. Fluoroaluminate also increased the incorporation of [3H]-myo-inositol into membrane phospholipids. 4. Fluoroaluminate produced a small rise in [3H]-cyclic AMP levels (2.1 fold increase over basal with 20 mM NaF). The response to forskolin (1 microM, 8.6 fold over basal) was reduced by fluoroaluminate in a concentration-dependent manner, but still remained significantly (P less than 0.05) elevated over the response to fluoroaluminate alone. 5. The [3H]-inositol phosphate response to fluoroaluminate was inhibited by salbutamol (maximum inhibition 60%, IC50 = 0.08 microM), forskolin (1 microM, 46% inhibition) and isobutylmethylxanthine (1 mM, 73% inhibition). 6. These data suggest that inhibition of agonist-induced inositol phospholipid turnover by cyclic AMP in this tissue can occur at the post-receptor level.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Inhibition of histamine-stimulated inositol phospholipid hydrolysis by agents which increase cyclic AMP levels in bovine tracheal smooth muscle.

1. The effect on histamine-stimulated [3H]-inositol phosphate accumulation of a range of agents which increase the accumulation, or mimic the actions, of cyclic AMP has been investigated in bovine tracheal smooth muscle. 2. Salbutamol (1 microM), forskolin (1 microM) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, 1 microM) inhibited the inositol phosphate response to 0.1 mM histamine and increased the accumulation of [3H]-cyclic AMP in [3H]-adenine-labelled slices of bovine tracheal smooth muscle. The effect on inositol phospholipid hydrolysis was mimicked by the membrane permeant analogues of cyclic AMP, dibutrylcyclic AMP (1 mM) and 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (1 mM). 3. In contrast to salbutamol, which was equally effective at producing the two effects, forskolin produced large increases in [3H]-cyclic AMP accumulation (EC50 = 1.2 microM) at much higher concentrations than those required for inhibition of histamine-stimulated [3H]-inositol phosphate accumulation (EC50 = 0.09 microM). However, significant increases in [3H]-cyclic AMP accumulation, of similar magnitude to those obtained with salbutamol and VIP, were observed over the concentration range appropriate for inhibition of the inositol phosphate response to histamine. 4. In the presence of histamine (0.1 mM), isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX, 1 mM) and rolipram (0.1 mM) both significantly (P less than 0.05) elevated tissue [3H]-cyclic AMP levels. IBMX, rolipram and (to a lesser extent) SKF 94120 significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced histamine-stimulated [3H]-inositol phosphate accumulation by 81%, 68% and 20%, respectively. M&B 22948 was without a significant effect on either [3H]-cyclic AMP or histamine-induced [3H]-inositol phosphate accumulation. 5. Both rolipram and forskolin reduced the increase in incorporation of [3H]-inositol into membrane phospholipids which followed stimulation with histamine. However, a significant inhibition of [3H]-inositol phosphate accumulation could be demonstrated under conditions in which there was no change in the level of [3H]-inositol incorporation.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Temporal changes in the calcium-dependence of the histamine H1-receptor-stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation in guinea-pig cerebral cortex.

1. 2-Chloroadenosine (2CA) causes a maintained rise in adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) content of guinea-pig cerebral cortical slices which is augmented by addition of histamine. We have investigated the temporal profile of the sensitivity of this response to calcium. 2. Rapid removal of extracellular calcium with EGTA (5 mM) at 2CA (30 microM)-induced steady state caused a slight increase in the cyclic AMP response to 2CA alone and completely abolished the augmentation produced by histamine (0.1 mM) added 20 min later. When EGTA was added only 2 min before histamine, the augmentation was reduced by 72%. 3. The calcium sensitivity of the histamine response was also indicated in studies in which EGTA was added 1 or 3 min after histamine at 2CA-induced steady state. Following addition of EGTA at either of these times, the augmentation was not maintained. 4. When calcium was rapidly removed with EGTA once a steady state level of cyclic AMP had been achieved with histamine, the augmentation response was maintained. This was despite the fact that EGTA had a similar effect on both extracellular free calcium and tissue calcium content when it was applied before or after histamine. 5. The 2CA response was augmented by phorbol esters (which mimic the actions of diacylglycerol) in a calcium-independent manner. 6. These results suggest that calcium is important for the initiation and early stages of the histamine-induced augmentation response. The apparent lack of calcium sensitivity of the response at later stages could mean that calcium is not involved in the maintenance of the response or that the intracellular machinery involved in the augmentation process becomes more sensitive to calcium as the response progresses, such that it becomes able to operate at a much lower level of intracellular calcium. A possible role for diacylglycerol in the maintenance of the response is discussed.

2-Chloroadenosine↗

Influence of rolipram on the cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate response to histamine and adenosine in slices of guinea-pig cerebral cortex.

The effect of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor rolipram on the cyclic AMP responses to adenosine, histamine and combinations of these two agonists, was examined in [3H]adenine-labelled slices of guinea-pig cerebral cortex. Constant levels of [3H]-cyclic AMP were achieved within 10 min of agonist addition, both in the presence and absence of rolipram (0.1 mM). Histamine (1 mM) produced an 8-fold increase in [3H]-cyclic AMP (compared with basal) which was increased 7-fold by rolipram. The responses to adenosine (0.1 mM) and adenosine and histamine in combination were larger than that to histamine alone (46-fold or more compared with basal) but the potentiation by rolipram was much smaller (2.5-fold or less). With both agonists the effect of rolipram was dose-dependent, the steady state [3H]-cyclic AMP levels increasing 1-2-fold for a 10-fold increase in rolipram concentration. Removal of the histamine or adenosine stimulus once steady state had been reached resulted in a rapid fall in [3H]-cyclic AMP levels with a half time of less than 5 min. Rolipram (0.1 mM) did not significantly alter the initial rates of fall in [3H]-cyclic AMP levels but increased the time taken for them to return to basal levels. The findings of higher steady state levels of cyclic AMP in the presence of rolipram, together with an almost unaltered rate of cyclic AMP turnover, are consistent with an interaction of rolipram with PDE which is overcome by an increase in cyclic AMP concentration. However, the relatively smaller effects of rolipram on the higher steady levels of cyclic AMP produced by adenosine and the rather shallow dose-dependence of the PDE inhibitor on the responses to both agonists are inconsistent with a simple competitive inhibition of total PDE activity in responding cells. The results can be explained, however, by the involvement of different forms of PDE, with the rolipram-sensitive, calcium-independent form dominating at low cyclic AMP levels and the rolipram-insensitive, calcium-dependent form becoming more important when cyclic AMP levels are higher.

2-Chloroadenosine↗