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Biomedical subjects

K Whitmer

Publications and source records attributed to K Whitmer.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

[3H]nimodipine specific binding to cardiac myocytes and subcellular fractions.

[3H]Nimodipine binding was studied in isolated myocytes from rat heart and in partially purified sarcolemma, sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial fractions from dog heart. In isolated myocytes, the density of [3H]nimodipine specific sites (10(6) per cell) was close to density of [3H]QNB sites (0.8 x 10(6) per cell) and higher than that of [3H]DHA sites (0.2 x 10(6) per cell). During subcellular fractionation, [3H]nimodipine binding did not copurify with plasma membrane markers. The highest densities were found in fractions enriched in sarcolemma or in sarcoplasmic reticulum. No specific binding was found in mitochondria. These results indicate that the localization of [3H]nimodipine sites is not restricted to areas of the plasma membrane rich in beta-adrenoceptors, muscarinic receptors and sodium pump sites.

Animals

Decrease in Na+,K+-ATPase activity and [3H]ouabain binding sites in sarcolemma prepared from hearts of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Na+,K+-ATPase activity, phosphorylation, and [3H]ouabain binding in sarcolemma isolated from spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) hearts were compared to the same parameters in sarcolemma from normotensive rat (WKY) hearts. Sarcolemma prepared from SHR heart contained significantly less ouabain-inhibitable ATPase activity than sarcolemma from WKY heart. No significant differences in sarcolemmal protein content or recovery were noted between the two groups. The numbers of phosphorylation sites and ouabain binding sites were lower for SHR hearts than for WKY hearts. The KD values for ouabain binding were the same (0.30 muM) in cardiac sarcolemma of SHR and WKY. The I50 values for inhibition by ouabain of Na+,K+-ATPase were also the same for both groups (SHR = 49 microM; WKY = 44 microM). These data suggest that the decrease of cardiac sarcolemmal Na+,K+-ATPase activity in SHR hearts is due to a decrease in the number of active sites.

Animals

Quality of life and nutritional support in patients with cancer.

Nutritional support is often initiated in patients with cancer who are unable to meet their nutritional needs by the oral route. Much has been written about the effect of nutritional support on physiological outcomes in patients with cancer. However, less is known about the relationship between improvement of nutritional status and quality of life. Trends in the treatment of cancer highlight the need for an examination of home nutrition support and quality of life. The purpose of this article is to describe the state of knowledge about the relationship of home enteral and parenteral nutrition support and quality of life. Research exploring the dimensions of quality of life (physical functioning, psychological status, interpersonal relationships and social functioning, financial concerns, and symptoms, and complications of nutritional support) is presented. Implications for clinical practice and research are identified. The trend for increased numbers of patients on home nutrition support emphasizes the need to understand the patient's and family's experience in managing this treatment in the home.

Enteral Nutrition