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Michael Jackson

Publications and source records attributed to Michael Jackson.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Early antigen-specific response by naive CD8 T cells is not altered with aging.

Both a dramatic decline in CD8 responses and a switch to memory T cell predominance occur with aging. The extent to which the loss of responsiveness is the consequence of the accumulation of more differentiated vs intrinsically defective T cells (or both) has been unclear. Using similar conditions of Ag stimulation, we have examined the responses generated by CD8(+) cells isolated from aged TCR transgenic mice. We found that the naive transgene(+) CD8(+) cells from aged 2C mice expressed activation markers, produced IL-2, proliferated, and differentiated into cytotoxic T cells as efficiently as their young counterparts. The extent of responsiveness and the level of the responses were comparable in both age groups regardless of the stimulatory conditions used, i.e., partial costimulation/adhesion molecule expression on APCs, or presentation of lower affinity peptide or diminished peptide concentrations. By day 4 after Ag stimulation, no significant age-related differences were observed in the number of effector cells generated nor in the levels of secreted IL-2 or IFN-gamma. Upon restimulation of effector cells, IL-2 secretion and to a lesser extent TNF-alpha expression, but not IFN-gamma secretion, were diminished with age. These findings suggest that age-associated alterations in naive CD8 cell function are not found after primary stimulation, but may become apparent upon restimulation.

Aging↗

Beginning-of-dose and rebound worsening in MPTP-treated common marmosets treated with levodopa.

A wide range of motor fluctuations develop in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients after prolonged levodopa (L-dopa) treatment, but few experimental models exist in which these can be investigated. We report on motor fluctuations occurring in MPTP-treated common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) treated repeatedly with L-dopa. All animals showed an improvement in motor function in response to L-dopa, and rapidly developed peak-dose dyskinesia. During the period of L-dopa action, brief periods of immobility were occasionally observed. After acute L-dopa challenge, animals exhibited a worsening of motor function before improvement, and after the beneficial response to L-dopa declined, motor performance showed rebound worsening to below-baseline values. Before L-dopa challenge and during wearing-off and rebound worsening, leg dystonias were observed. Although these findings cannot necessarily be generalized to all MPTP-treated nonhuman primates, they demonstrate that MPTP-treated marmosets show a range of different motor fluctuations analogous to those seen in PD patients chronically treated with L-dopa. Therefore, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated primates can provide a model in which the pathophysiology of treatment complications can be investigated.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

Increased pressure during retrograde cerebral perfusion in an acute porcine model improves brain tissue perfusion without increase in tissue edema.

BACKGROUND: There is a significant lack of scientific data to support the clinically accepted view that 25 to 30 mm Hg is the maximum safe perfusion pressure during retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP). This study was designed to investigate whether perfusion pressure greater than 30 mm Hg during RCP is beneficial to the brain during prolonged HCA in an acute porcine model. METHODS: Sixteen pigs underwent 120 minutes of circulatory arrest in conjunction with RCP at a perfusion pressure of either 23 to 29 mm Hg (group L, n = 8) or 34 to 40 mm Hg (group H, n = 8) at 15 degrees C, followed by 60 minutes of normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. Cortical blood flow and oxygenation were measured continuously with a laser flowmeter and near-infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Tissue water content was measured at the end of the experiments. RESULTS: Brain tissue blood flow was significantly higher in group H than in group L (16.8% +/- 4.1% vs 4.8% +/- 0.9% of baseline, p < 0.01) during RCP. Brain oxygen extraction in group L reached a maximum (approximately 70%) immediately after starting RCP, whereas in group H it increased gradually and reached a maximum at 120 minutes of RCP, indicating a greater supply of oxygen to tissue in group H than in group L. After RCP, the ability of brain tissue to use oxygen was better preserved in group H than in group L, as indicated by tissue oxygen saturation and the deoxyhemoglobin level. There was no significant increase in tissue water content in either group (group H 79.2% +/- 0.3%, group L 79.1% +/- 0.4%) relative to normal control pigs (78.7% +/- 0.1%). CONCLUSIONS: In this acute porcine model, increasing perfusion pressure from 23-29 to 34-40 mm Hg during RCP increases tissue blood flow and provides better tissue oxygenation, without increasing tissue edema. The optimal perfusion pressure for RCP needs to be further investigated.

Animals↗

Immunofluorescence imaging as a tool for studying the pharmacokinetics of a human monoclonal single chain fragment antibody.

We have used immunofluorescence imaging to study binding of a monoclonal antibody fragment to subcutaneously implanted human melanoma cells in nude mice. The data acquired using this nontraditional approach was then analyzed using standard pharmacokinetic methods to produce estimates of k(e) (0.06h(-1)), t 1/2 (16 h), mean residency time (23.4 h) and percent exposure of the antibody to the tumor (40%). To our knowledge this is the first time standard pharmacokinetic analyzes have been conducted on immunofluorescence imaging data. The combination of this novel imaging technique and standard pharmacokinetic analytical methods should prove to be a useful tool for comparing the properties of antibody fragments in animal models.

Animals↗

Microbial quality of water supply to an urban community in Trinidad.

A microbiological study was conducted to determine the quality of the water supply to an urban community in San Fernando proper in south Trinidad using total coliforms and thermotolerant coliforms as indicators of water pollution. The membrane filter technique was used to detect total coliforms and thermotolerant coliforms on endo agar and MFc agar, respectively. The residual chlorine levels in water from the reservoir, from standpipes along the distribution line, and from households were determined with a commercial test kit. Of a total of 104 drinking water samples obtained from households, 84 (80.8%), 56 (53.8%), and 70 (67.3%) tested positive for total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms, and Escherichia coli, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05, chi2). Of the 81 water samples collected from the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) main supply to households, 38 (46.9%), 13 (16.0%), and 27 (33.3%) were contaminated by total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms, and E. coli, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05, chi2). Eight (20.5%) of 39 water samples from standpipes along the distribution line tested positive for total coliforms, compared with 4 (10.3%) samples testing positive for thermotolerant coliforms. All five samples of treated water obtained from the reservoir tested negative for coliforms. There was a significant difference (P = 0.004) in the mean residual chlorine levels in water from the reservoir, water from standpipes, and water from households. Similarly, as the level of residual chlorine decreased, there was a statistically significant (P = 0.004) increase in the prevalence of total coliforms in water from 0.0% (treated reservoir water) to 15.2% (standpipe) to 53.5% (household mains) to 80.0% (household drinking water). There was also a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001, chi2) in the prevalence of total coliforms in drinking water and in water from the WASA main supply to households. Of the 105 E. coli strains tested, 7 (6.7%), 16 (15.2%), and 22 (21.0%) were mucoid, hemolytic, and non-sorbitol fermenters, respectively. It was concluded that the high degree of contamination of drinking water in households poses a health hazard to consumers.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Is maintenance of cerebral hypothermia the principal mechanism by which retrograde cerebral perfusion provides better brain protection than hypothermic circulatory arrest? A study in a porcine model.

OBJECTIVE: Retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) provides better brain protection than hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) alone. The mechanism by which RCP improves brain protection during circulatory arrest remains unknown. The purpose of the study in pigs was to determine if RCP improves brain protection mainly as a result of its ability to maintain cerebral hypothermia. METHODS: Fifteen pigs were subjected to 120 minutes of HCA alone (HCA group, n = 5), HCA + RCP at perfusion pressures of 23 to 29 mmHg (RCP-low group, n = 5), or at perfusion pressures of 34-40 mmHg (RCP-high group, n = 5) at 15 degrees C, followed by 60 minutes of normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). After brain temperature reached 15 degrees C, HCA was initiated with or without RCP. Temperatures in the brain, esophagus, and perfusate/blood were monitored continuously. Brain tissue blood flow was measured continuously using a laser flowmeter. Brain oxygen extraction was calculated from the oxygen contents in arterial and venous blood samples. RESULTS: During cooling and rewarming, the change in temperature was slower in the brain than in the esophagus. A similar degree of spontaneous rewarming (from 15 degrees C to 17/18 degrees C) occurred in the brain during HCA and RCP. This indicates that RCP does not provide better maintenance of cerebral hypothermia during circulatory arrest than HCA alone. The esophageal temperature rose more slowly during RCP than during HCA alone, indicating that RCP maintains better hypothermia in the body. During RCP, the brain extracted oxygen continuously from the blood, indicating that RCP may provide nutrient flow to the brain. CONCLUSION: In an acute pig model, maintenance of cerebral hypothermia does not appear to be the principal mechanism by which RCP provides better brain protection than HCA alone. Retrograde cerebral perfusion provides nutrient flow/oxygen to brain tissue, leading to better brain protection than HCA alone.

Analysis of Variance↗

Interaction of a mitochondrial membrane potential-sensitive dye, rhodamine 800, with rat mitochondria, cells, and perfused hearts.

Fluorescence, absorbance, and binding of a mitochondrial membrane potential-sensitive probe, rhodamine 800 (rhod800), were measured in isolated rat mitochondria, hepatocytes, cardiomyocytes, and hearts in the presence or absence of mitochondrial uncouplers. Excitation of rhod800 was achieved with laser diodes (690 or 670 nm) and resulted in a fluorescence peak at 720 nm. Greater than 99% of rhod800 (1 microM) was taken up from the buffer by energized mitochondria. This resulted in a fluorescence decrease by 77% (13% in de-energized mitochondria). Sixty-seven percent of rhod800 was taken up by cardiomyocytes and 75% by hepatocytes resulting in the fluorescence decrease by 16% and 37%, respectively, which were reversed by approximately 10% upon cell uncoupling. In hearts, binding, absorbance, and fluorescence were almost uncoupler-insensitive possibly due to rhod800 interaction outside of mitochondria. Fluorescence of the hearts perfused with 27.5 and 55 nM rhod800 was measured in orthogonal and reflection modes. The former provided deep tissue penetration (approximately a centimeter); however, nonlinearity between absorbance and fluorescence was evident. In the latter setting, depth of tissue penetration was approximately a millimeter, which eliminated an inner filter effect and restored linearity. We concluded that excessive hydrophobicity of rhod800 complicates detection of energy-dependent fluorescence changes in myocardium.

Animals↗