PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L Craft

Publications and source records attributed to L Craft.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

beta2-adrenergic receptor polymorphisms at amino acid 16 differentially influence agonist-stimulated blood pressure and peripheral blood flow in normal individuals.

BACKGROUND: The Gly16 beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (beta(2)AR) polymorphism is a common variant of the beta(2)AR that displays depressed function caused by enhanced receptor downregulation in vitro compared with the Arg16 receptor. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 20 healthy, normotensive, nonsmoking white individuals who were homozygous for either the Arg16 (n = 10) or the Gly16 (n = 10) genotype. Plethysmographic lower-limb blood flow, blood pressure, and 2-dimensional echocardiograms were recorded at baseline and after 15-minute incremental infusions of terbutaline (100 to 300 ng/kg per minute). Baseline heart rates, blood pressures, and flows were similar in both groups, but at the maximum dose of terbutaline, limb blood flow was less (P <.05), calculated vascular resistance was greater (P <.05), and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were greater in patients with Gly16 than in those with Arg16 (both P <.05). In contrast, terbutaline-stimulated heart rates were not different. In a separate group of 20 homozygous individuals (12 Arg16, 8 Gly16), there were no differences in 2-dimensional echocardiographically determined ventricular function. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the Gly16 beta(2)AR polymorphism imparts attenuated vasodilatory responses to catecholamines in normal human beings and is an important genetic component in the regulation of peripheral blood flow and systemic arterial pressure.

Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists↗

Effect of oral sodium loading on high-intensity arm ergometry in college wrestlers.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of 0.3 g x kg(-1) of NaHCO3, 0.21 g x kg(-1) of NaCl, and a low-calorie placebo control (PC) on high-intensity arm ergometry in eight college wrestlers (aged 20.6 +/- 0.8 yr, body mass 70.4 +/- 2.1 kg). METHODS: Subjects performed eight 15-s intervals of maximal effort arm ergometry separated by 20 s of recovery cranking. Treatments were administered in a randomized, double-blind manner in two equal doses at 90 and 60 min before testing. Venous blood samples were withdrawn at baseline, preexercise, and postexercise intervals. RESULTS: Preexercise pH (7.33 +/- 0.01, 7.31 +/- 0.01, and 7.40 +/- 0.01) and base excess (2.41 +/- 0.35, 0.93 +/- 0.39, and 8.45 +/- 0.51) after PC and NaCl ingestion, respectively, were similar, whereas ingestion of NaHCO3 resulted in significantly higher values (P < or = 0.05). Postexercise pH (7.02 +/- 0.01, 7.02 +/- 0.03, and 7.09 +/- 0.03) and base excess (-13.29 +/- 0.96, -14.49 +/- 1.01, and -8.83 +/- 1.38) were significantly lower after both PC and NaCl ingestion compared with NaHCO3 ingestion. Postexercise plasma [lactate] was also greater in both PC and NaHCO3 trials (21.42 +/- 1.52, 20.07 +/- 1.39, and 22.65 +/- 1.77 mmol x L(-1)). However, peak power (370.7 +/- 26.0, 346.3 +/- 13.6, and 354.3 +/- 18.9 W) and total work accomplished in eight intervals (30.2 +/- 1.5, 29.6 +/- 1.1, and 29.9 +/- 1.1 kJ), and percent fatigue (31.0 +/- 2.7, 29.0 +/- 3.2, and 29.2 +/- 4.0%) were similar. CONCLUSIONS: These data contradict previous reports of ergogenic benefits NaHCO3 and NaCl administration before exercise and further suggest that performance in this type of activity may not be enhanced by exogenously induced metabolic alkalosis or sodium ingestion.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Methods of adolescent suicide prevention.

This article reviews a series of studies developed to address the public health problem of adolescent suicide. The clinical predictors of adolescent suicide are presented, and several related prevention strategies are offered and critiqued. The method of suicide prevention found to be most effective is a systematic, direct-screening procedure that has a high potential for institutionalization.

Adolescent↗

The role of neuropeptide Y in the antiobesity action of the obese gene product.

Recently Zhang et al. cloned a gene that is expressed only in adipose tissue of the mouse. The obese phenotype of the ob/ob mouse is linked to a mutation in the obese gene that results in expression of a truncated inactive protein. Human and rat homologues for this gene are known. Previous experiments predict such a hormone to have a hypothalamic target. Hypothalamic neuropeptide Y stimulates food intake, decreases thermogenesis, and increases plasma insulin and corticosterone levels making it a potential target. Here we express the obese protein in Escherichia coli and find that it suppresses food intake and decreases body weight dramatically when administered to normal and ob/ob mice but not db/db (diabetic) mice, which are thought to lack the appropriate receptor. High-affinity binding was detected in the rat hypothalamus. One mechanism by which this protein regulated food intake and metabolism was inhibition of neuropeptide-Y synthesis and release.

Animals↗

Acetaminophen poisoning in infancy.

Acetaminophen is widely used in children of all ages, and overdosage from this medication is common. Although severe hepatotoxicity from over-dosage occurs in adults, acetaminophen seems to have a wide margin of safety in younger children. This has been ascribed to altered pharmacokinetics in this age group. We report two cases in which severe acetaminophen-induced hepatoxocity occurred in two infants. Neither infant reportedly received potentially toxic dosages, by history, but toxic drug levels were present in both.

Acetaminophen↗

Early assessment of a tubal plastic (Bleier) clip.

Fifty patients have been sterilized laparoscopically using a plastic tubal (Bleier) clip having a "snap-shut" mechanism. Initial assessment indicates that the method is simple in principle but there are limitations, including the bulky dimensions of the applicator, absence of a safety-catch mechanism, and faults in the clip design. Modifications are indicated before further evaluation.

Adult↗