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Biomedical subjects

K Frantz

Publications and source records attributed to K Frantz.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

The locomotor effects of a putative dopamine D3 receptor agonist in developing rats.

Dopamine receptors have been categorized into subfamilies D1 and D2, each with separate roles in dopamine-mediated behaviors. Of the D2 subfamily, the dopamine D3 receptor has been cloned, but the behavioral effects of selectively stimulating the D3 receptor are largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to quantify the locomotor responses of developing rats to the putative dopamine D3 receptor agonist, 7-hydroxy-N,N-di-n-propyl-2-aminotetralin (7-OH-DPAT). One of three doses of 7-OH-DPAT (0.01, 0.10, 1.00 mg/kg) or saline was injected subcutaneously into rats at the age of 10,20,30, or 60 days. Five minutes after the injection, rats were placed in automated activity monitors which recorded locomotor behavior at 5 min intervals for 2 h. The high dose of 7-OH-DPAT increased locomotor activity in rats of all ages. The medium and low doses increased activity in 10- and 20-day-old rats but not in 30- or 60-day-old rats. The level of drug-induced activation peaked at 20 days of age. In 30- and 60-day-old rats, but not 10- and 20-day-old rats, a period of locomotor suppression preceded the activation in response to the high dose of 7-OH-DPAT. In rats aged 20 days and older, the middle and low doses decreased locomotion early in the test session, but activation did not ensue. This dose-response pattern across ontogeny closely resembles that induced by quinpirole, an agonist at the dopamine D2 receptor subfamily.

Age Factors

A normative study of step vergence in elementary schoolchildren.

The purpose of this study was to develop normative data for step vergence testing in children age 6-12. Such data are not currently available for this age group. Base-in and base-out step vergence testing with a prism bar was performed on 386 elementary schoolchildren who had all passed a modified clinical technique (MCT) screening. A new polarized target was developed which enabled us to detect suppression, as well as diplopia or blur. The findings suggest significant differences from normative data previously reported for adults. Because the data for 6-year-olds were different from the rest of the group, we suggest that lower norms be used for this age group. This study provides expected findings for step vergence testing outside the phoropter, which can be used clinically for the assessment of disparity vergence ranges in young children.

Child

Normative study of accommodative facility in elementary schoolchildren.

Although accommodative facility testing is used widely in the evaluation of accommodation in children, published normative data are not available for this age group. Current values being used are based upon studies of adult populations. In order to establish norms, 542 elementary schoolchildren were screened. Those that passed a specific set of criteria were included in the accommodative facility assessment. We used a new target and instructional set, which took into consideration the problems associated with subjective testing of young children. The results revealed lower mean accommodative facility values for both monocular and binocular accommodative facility than the values obtained previously from adult populations. These new findings can be used as a clinical guide to evaluate accommodative facility in young children.

Accommodation, Ocular

Isolation and characterization of highly serum-dependent cells released early from collagenase digested calvaria.

A subclass of highly serum-dependent bone cells has been identified among the cells released early from calvaria following digestion in collagenase. Partial purification for these cells has been carried out based on the observation that they require serum for attachment to polystyrene culture flasks. This subclass of bone cells differs from adherent cells and late released osteoblasts, in that they express almost no cAMP response to PTH, require high levels of serum (10%) for initial growth and proliferation, and do not increase DNA synthesis in response to PTH. In common with adherent cells and late released osteoblasts, their proliferation is decreased by 1,25(OH)2D3 at doses above 0.2 ng/ml and they respond to PGE2 with increased DNA synthesis. These similarities suggest an ontogenic relationship with osteoblasts. Based on their differences, however, provisional identification of these cells as relatively undifferentiated mesenchymal cells is suggested.

Animals

Time limitation for early breastfeeding.

To prevent nipple soreness, mothers who are breastfeeding are counseled to limit the time their infant feeds in the early postpartum period. No evidence supports this method of prevention. To the contrary, nursing and medical literature report that this practice is not effective and that its use should be discontinued. Nursing interventions to prevent nipple problems are presented.

Breast Diseases