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Biomedical subjects

R M Kurtz

Publications and source records attributed to R M Kurtz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Hypnotic susceptibility order effects in waking analgesia.

This study reexamined Spanos, Hodgins, Stam, and Gwynn's (1984) contention that susceptibility testing order effects generated a relationship between waking analgesia pain reduction and level of hypnotic responsiveness. Undergraduate volunteers with no previous hypnosis experience were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1 (n = 69) first received a cold pressor pain protocol, and then was administered the Standford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C (SHSS:C). Group 2 (n = 69) was administered the SHSS:C prior to the cold pressor pain protocol. Our findings do not support Spanos, Hodgins et al.'s contention that susceptibility testing order effects generate the often reported relationship between waking analgesia and level of hypnotic responsiveness. We found significant partial correlation coefficients between the SHSS:C and nonhypnotic pain reduction regardless of order of susceptibility testing. Implications regarding the adequacy of design-generated expectancies to explain hypnotic analgesia phenomena were examined.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Ofloxacin penetration into the eye after intravenous and topical administration.

PURPOSE: To determine the aqueous and vitreous fluid penetration of ofloxacin after a combined topical and single intravenous dose protocol before vitrectomy surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Before undergoing vitrectomy surgery, patients were given two drops of ofloxacin 0.3% topically and a single intravenous dose of ofloxacin 400 mg. Aqueous (mean, 43 minutes) and vitreous (mean, 53 minutes) fluid samples were collected at the start of the surgical procedure. The samples were analyzed for ofloxacin penetration. RESULTS: The mean aqueous fluid concentration was 1.083 micrograms/mL +/- 0.406. The mean +/- SD vitreous fluid concentration in nondiabetic patients with intact vitreous was 0.352 microgram/mL +/- 0.301. Vitreous levels obtained more than 50 minutes after administration (0.414 microgram/mL +/- 0.336) were generally higher than those obtained after less than 50 minutes (P = 0.12). Eyes with prior vitrectomies achieved better ofloxacin penetration (0.984 microgram/mL +/- 0.680) than did nonvitrectomized eyes. CONCLUSION: Ofloxacin achieved measurable aqueous fluid penetration after topical and intravenous administration. Aqueous levels were above the minimum inhibitory concentration for most ocular pathogens. Vitreous levels were adequate in vitrectomized eyes to achieve inhibitory concentrations against many common ocular pathogens. Combined preoperative topical and a single dose of intravenous ofloxacin may provide inhibitory aqueous and vitreous antibiotic levels in vitrectomized eyes in cases where intravitreal antibiotics are not considered and oral administration is not practical.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1997

Cellular pharmacology and molecular biology of the trabecular meshwork inducible glucocorticoid response gene product.

Studies of the effects of glucocorticoid (GC) and oxidative stress stimuli in differentiated cultures of human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells have provided the rationale for our studies of a major new gene termed TIGR (trabecular meshwork inducible GC response). The TIGR clone was isolated by differential library screening using selection criteria based on the induction pattern of a new protein/glycoprotein found in HTM cultures after prolonged but not brief exposure to GCs. This GC induction pattern matched the time course and dose response required for intraocular pressure elevation in patients receiving corticosteroids. The very large, progressive induction of TIGR combined with specific structural features of its cDNA suggested that TIGR should be considered a candidate gene for outflow obstruction in glaucoma. Among the properties of TIGR cDNA were a signal sequence for secretion, several structural features for interactions with glycosaminoglycans and other glycoproteins and putative sites for cell surface interactions. In addition, the leucine zippers in the structure were related to TIGR-TIGR oligomerization that was shown to occur with native and recombinant TIGR protein. The verification that TIGR was a major stress response protein in HTM cells following hydrogen peroxide (or phorbol esters) exposure provided a potential link between GC and oxidative mechanisms thought to be involved in glaucoma pathogenesis. Pharmacological evaluation showed that basic fibroblast growth factory and transforming growth factor beta decreased the GC induction of TIGR, and certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs protected against both GC- and oxidation-induced stress responses in HTM cells. Our recent studies of TIGR's genomic structure have shown motifs in the promoter region that suggest a basis by which multiple hormonal/environmental stimuli can regulate TIGR production and by which putative genetic alterations could lead to an overexpression of the protein. Further application of cell biology/biochemistry, molecular biology, genetic and histological approaches will be helpful in understanding the role of TIGR in different glaucoma syndromes.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Dexamethasone and cyclosporin A modulation of human retinal pigment epithelial cell monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and interleukin-8.

PURPOSE: To examine the modulation of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta)- and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-stimulated monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion and transcription in human retinal pigment epithelial (HRPE) cells by dexamethasone (DEX) and cyclosporin A (CSA). METHODS: Cultured HRPE cells were stimulated with IL-1 beta (0.2 to 20 ng/ml) or TNF-alpha (0.2 to 20 ng/ml) for 8 or 24 hours without (control) and with DEX (10(-8) to 10(-6) M) or with CSA (0.3 to 30 ng/ml). Secreted levels of HRPE MCP-1 and IL-8 were measured in the media using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Both MCP-1 and IL-8 mRNA were analyzed by Northern blot. RESULTS: Although DEX (10(-8) to 10(-6) M) inhibited IL-1 beta-stimulated MCP-1 and IL-8 production, it did not inhibit TNF-alpha-stimulated chemokine secretion. In contrast, CSA significantly inhibited TNF-alpha-stimulated, but not IL-1 beta-stimulated, HRPE MCP-1 and IL-8 secretion. Both DEX and CSA inhibitions showed dose dependence. Northern blot analysis of HRPE steady state MCP-1 and IL-8 mRNA corroborated the ELISA measurements of secreted MCP-1 and IL-8. CONCLUSIONS: Although DEX and CSA inhibit HRPE MCP-1 and IL-8 secretion, this is dependent on whether the inducing inflammatory mediator is IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha. IL-1 beta-induced chemokine secretion is sensitive to DEX, whereas MCP-1 and IL-8 induced by TNF-alpha are inhibited by CSA. This information may be useful in explaining in vivo observations and in suggesting targeted clinical treatments and combinations of immunosuppressive agents.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMed1997

Human retinal pigment epithelial cell interleukin-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 modulation by T-lymphocyte products.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of T-lymphocyte products on human retinal pigment epithelial (HRPE) cell interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) secretion and gene expression. METHODS: HRPE cells were stimulated for 2, 4, 8, or 24 hours with 20% conditioned media (CM) from T-lymphocytes stimulated with CD3 or CD28 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or phorbol myristic acid. In some experiments, CM from CD3 mAb-stimulated T-lymphocytes was preincubated with neutralizing anti-(alpha)-tumor necrosis factor (TNF), alpha-interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), or alpha-interleukin-1 (IL-1) mAb (control) to determine the contributions of each of these cytokines to HRPE chemokine induction by stimulated T-lymphocyte CM. HRPE cells were stimulated for 8 and 24 hours with IL-1 beta (0.2 to 20.0 ng/ml) (positive control), TNF-alpha (0.2 to 20.0 ng/ml) (positive control), IFN-gamma (1 to 1000 U/ml), IFN-gamma + IL-1 beta, IFN-gamma + TNF-alpha. Interleukin-2 (IL-2; 100 ng/ml) alone or in combination with IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, or IFN-gamma also was tested. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Northern blot analyses were performed to determine secreted IL-8 and MCP-1 and their steady state mRNA expression, respectively. RESULTS: ELISA showed significant increases in HRPE IL-8 and MCP-1 secretion by CM from T-lymphocytes stimulated with CD3 or CD3 + CD28 mAb. Smaller, but significant, increases in IL-8 and MCP-1 resulted from CM phorbol myristic acid-stimulated T-lymphocytes. CM preincubated with neutralizing alpha-TNF or alpha-IFN-gamma mAb induced significantly less HRPE IL-8 and MCP-1, whereas preincubation of CM with neutralizing alpha-IL-1 mAb failed to inhibit CM-induced IL-8 or MCP-1. Northern blot analysis showed increased HRPE IL-8 and MCP-1 mRNA expression within 2 hours of stimulation and was maintained up to 24 hours. CM from T-lymphocytes stimulated with CD3 mAb or CD3 + CD28 mAb produced the greatest increases in IL-8 and MCP-1 mRNA. IFN-gamma induced dose-dependent increases in HRPE MCP-1, but not IL-8, IFN-gamma potentiated IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha-induced MCP-1 production, but showed little modulation of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha-induced IL-8 production. IL-2 did not induce HRPE IL-8 or MCP-1, nor did it modulate the effects of the other cytokines. Northern blot analysis confirmed the ELISA results. CONCLUSIONS: T-lymphocyte secretions induce HRPE IL-8 and MCP-1 gene expression and secretion. TNF and IFN-gamma appear to be necessary components of T-lymphocyte CM for the induction of HRPE IL-8 and MCP-1. IFN-gamma alone induces HRPE MCP-1, albeit to a lesser extent than would IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha, and potentiates IL-1 beta- and TNF-alpha-induced HRPE MCP-1. IL-2 does not appear to modulate cytokine-induced HRPE IL-8 or MCP-1.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1996

Multiple susceptibility testing: is it helpful?

This study explored whether or not the use of combined group and individually administered susceptibility tests improve the predictive power over the use of a singly administered test. Two hundred and eighty undergraduates were assigned to one of five groups: Group 1 received the HGSHS: A and then the SHSS:C; Group 2 the CIS and SHSS:C; Group 3 the HGSHS: A and the SHCS:A; Group 4 received the CIS and the SHCS:A; and Group 5 was tested on the SHSS:C alone. After the susceptibility screening the subjects were hypnotized and tested on four types of target hypnotic behaviors. From the RSPSHS:I&II the following four factors were chosen (1) cognitive distortion, (2) positive hallucination, (3) negative hallucination, (4) dreams and regression. The items were matched on difficulty level. The data were subjected to a series of stepwise multiple regression and logistic regression analyses. The results confirmed previous research; i.e., (1) The SHSS:C is the best single measure, (2) the SHCS:A is a poor substitute for the SHSS:C; (3) the HGSHS:A is not adequate substitute for SHSS:C; (4) the CIS is weak in predictive power compared to the HGSHS:A; (5) Only for a weak measure such as SHCS:A does combined testing produce an advantage; (6) There appear to be no warm-up effects for SHSS:C when preceded by HGSHS:A.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Durability of posthypnotic suggestions: type of suggestion and difficulty level.

This study investigated the impact of Difficulty Level and Type of Suggestion upon the durability of posthypnotic suggestion over an 8-week period. Seventy-eight highly susceptible subjects selected by both the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility: Form A (HGSHS:A) and Stanford Hypnotic Scale of Susceptibility: Form C (SHSS:C) were assigned to six groups (two levels of Difficulty x three Types of Suggestion). S's were tested for posthypnotic suggestion at 1, 3, 6, and 8 weeks. A 2 x 3 x 4 (Difficulty x Suggestion x Time) factorial ANOVA was conducted, with Time treated as a repeated-measure. The outcome variable at each time was either pass or fail for relevant suggestion. We found a significant Time effect, a significant Difficulty effect, and a significant Time x Difficulty interaction. Fewer subjects passed the difficult suggestions than passed the easy suggestions; fewer passed suggestions at a latter time; and the decay in pass rate was more pronounced for the easy suggestion condition, due largely to the higher initial pass rate. Type of Suggestion was not significant, nor were any of the other interactions. Clinical implications were discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The endogenous eyeblink and hypnotic susceptibility in a real-simulator design.

This study investigated the relationship between hypnotic susceptibility and the endogenous eyeblink with 27 subjects who were assigned to groups of high susceptibles, low susceptibles and simulators on the basis of cutoff scores from the Harvard Group Scales of Hypnotic Susceptibility: Form A and the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scales: Form C. Using a repeated-measures design, oculomotor data were collected during two separate conditions, waking and hypnotized, while subjects performed a visual task requiring the discrimination of short light flashes (200 ms) from long light flashes (400 ms). Although results partially replicated previous studies, with high susceptibles blinking significantly less than low susceptibles across both conditions, no effect was found for the hypnotic state. Failure of the simulating group to meet assumptions in the waking condition allowed no conclusions regarding impact of task demands on the endogenous eyeblink.

Attention↗
PubMed1995

Differential effects of hypnotic suggestion on multiple dimensions of pain.

Within the framework of multidimensional pain assessment, this study extended an earlier finding that hypnotic analgesia and relaxation suggestions have differential effects on pain reduction by evaluating these strategies in subjects undergoing a cold pressor protocol. Thirty-two highly susceptible subjects were randomly assigned to an analgesia or a relaxation suggestion treatment group. Six pain reports were taken at 10-sec intervals for each experimental condition. The baseline measures served as covariates. A 2 x 2 x 2 x 6 repeated-measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed a significant group (analgesia, relaxation) by pain dimension (intensity, unpleasantness), by condition (suggestion alone, hypnotic induction plus suggestion) interaction. Analysis of the simple-simple main effects, holding both group and condition constant, revealed that application of hypnotic analgesia reduced report of pain intensity significantly more than report of pain unpleasantness. Conversely, hypnotic relaxation reduced pain unpleasantness more than intensity. The clinical implications of the study are discussed.

Female↗
PubMed1995

Hypnotic analgesia, expectancy effects, and choice of design: a reexamination.

Previous research by Stam and Spanos suggests that if waking analgesia is followed by hypnotic analgesia, subjects refrain from maximally responding during the waking trial so they report less pain under hypnosis (i.e., a "holdback effect"). This hypothesis was re-examined using more stringent controls. Thirty-six highly susceptible subjects chosen by a combination of the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A and the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups (waking analgesia followed by hypnotic analgesia, waking analgesia followed by waking analgesia, or hypnotic analgesia followed by waking analgesia). Each group received three 60-second immersions of cold pressor pain stimulation (baseline, Immersion 1, Immersion 2) and rated pain using a magnitude estimation and a category rating scale. The obtained results failed to support the hypotheses of a holdback effect or a "reverse-order holdback effect." Properties of within-subjects and between-subjects designs were considered in explaining the superiority of hypnotic analgesia over waking analgesia typically found in within-subjects models.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Hypnotic susceptibility and the endogenous eyeblink: a brief communication.

This study investigated the relationship between hypnotic susceptibility, hypnotic state, and the endogenous eyeblink with 36 undergraduates, who were assigned to four independent groups (waking-low, hypnotized-low, waking-high, and hypnotized-high susceptibles) on the basis of combined cutoff scores on both the Creative Imagination Scale and the Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale for Adults. The auditory vigilance task required subjects to discriminate between 200 ms and 300 ms tones over a 35-minute period. Hypnotic depth was controlled across trials using the Long Stanford Scale of Hypnotic Depth. As predicted, high-susceptible subjects had a significantly lower blink rate than low-susceptible subjects. The predicted interaction between susceptibility and hypnotic state was also confirmed. High-susceptible subjects showed a significant decrease in blinking for the hypnotized condition, whereas low-susceptible subjects did not. The need for replication with more adequate measures of susceptibility is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Prospective time estimation and hypnotizability in a simulator design.

The present study of prospective time estimation examined the effects of hypnosis on short time intervals using a real-simulator design. The major hypothesis predicted a 2-way interaction between group (high hypnotizable, low hypnotizable, and simulator) and condition (waking and hypnotic) across all 4 time intervals (30, 60, 120, and 240 seconds). It was further hypothesized that on a "suggested" task (a measure of hypnotic depth), high hypnotizable Ss and simulators would not differ from each other but would differ from low hypnotizable Ss. 42 undergraduates were screened on both the Creative Imagination Scale (Wilson & Barber, 1977) and the Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale for Adults (Morgan & J. R. Hilgard, 1975, 1979) and assigned to 1 of 3 groups (high hypnotizable, low hypnotizable, simulator) based on combined hypnotizability scores. Ss verbally estimated time intervals of 30, 60, 120, and 240 seconds, 3 times each, both while in a waking and a hypnotic condition. Hypnotic depth was assessed once following each time interval. Partial support was found for the first hypothesis where, for both the 60- and 120-second intervals, high hypnotizable Ss increased their overestimation in the hypnotic condition. Low hypnotizable and simulator Ss showed no such increase. The second hypothesis, that high hypnotizable and simulator Ss would differ from low hypnotizables on the "suggested" task, was confirmed. The partial replication of previous research was examined in the context of choice of hypnotizability measure and reliability of time estimation.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Durability of "posthypnotic suggestions" as a function of type of suggestion and trance depth.

3 types of "posthypnotic suggestion," based upon factor analytic studies, were administered to high hypnotizable Ss (reals) and to low hypnotizable Ss instructed to simulate hypnosis (simulators) (N = 12 high and 6 low hypnotizable Ss per suggestion). The "posthypnotic suggestions" consisted of instructions given to Ss following a hypnotic induction that, when the posthypnotic cue was later given, they would re-enter the hypnotic state and perform a certain task at that time. Ss were then tested 6 times for durability of "posthypnotic response" during an 8-week period. Responses to the "suggestions" were rated by research assistants (objective scores) and by Ss themselves (subjective scores). There was a significant Trials x Type of "Suggestion" interaction for both types of scores for the reals but not for the simulators, indicating different rates of decline with time for the different "suggestions" for the hypnotic Ss. Depth of reported hypnotic trance during the assessment sessions was found to be strongly related to performance of the "posthypnotic suggestion" for both real and simulating Ss.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Hypnotic susceptibility and experimental pain reduction.

We exposed 24 subjects high in hypnotic susceptibility and 24 subjects low in hypnotic susceptibility to a cold-pressor pain stimulus under either hypnotic or waking conditions, using each of two pain-reduction strategies (analgesia and distraction) separately. Trance depth level was held constant for hypnotized subjects. We used pain-tolerance levels as measures of pain, and we analyzed them by survival analysis. High susceptibles reported significantly lower pain ratings and kept their hands immersed longer in the cold water than low-susceptible subjects. There were no significant differences between hypnotic and waking condition subjects or between the different strategies. We have discussed the results in terms of a relationship in the literature between choice of experimental design (between-subjects or within-subjects) and the effectiveness of a hypnotic induction for suggested pain reduction.

Arousal↗
PubMed1989

The effects of hypnotic suggestion on pain report.

Forty-five highly susceptible volunteers rated a series of shocks using 32 pain descriptors. Descriptors were given numerical values using magnitude estimation procedures. We assigned the subjects to one of three conditions, analgesia suggestion, relaxation suggestion, or no suggestion. All subjects were administered the shocks and the suggestion appropriate to the group, in both the waking and hypnotic state. The results support the existence of two dimensions of pain which are differentially responsive to suggestion. Hypnotic-analgesia suggestion altered subjects' perceptions of the intensity without changing their perceptions of the unpleasantness of the shocks. Hypnotic-relaxation suggestion reduced the unpleasantness but not the perceived intensity of the stimuli. These findings imply that research into hypnotic pain relief is more easily interpreted if pain is viewed as multidimensional in nature.

Analgesia↗
PubMed1989

Changes in body attitude as a function of posthypnotic suggestions.

This study hypothesized that highly hypnotizable Ss who remained amnesic for posthypnotic suggestions to improve body attitude would show greater changes than Ss who were not amnesic. Ss given simulating instructions were used as a comparison group to assess experimental demands. 48 females were screened with the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A (Shor & E. Orne, 1962) and assigned to one of 4 conditions: (a) high hypnotizable with amnesia suggestions, (b) high hypnotizable without suggested amnesia, (c) low hypnotizable simulators with amnesia, and (d) low hypnotizable simulators without suggested amnesia. A fifth group was formed of those high hypnotizable Ss who remembered the suggestion despite instructions to the contrary. The Body Attitude Scale (Kurtz, 1966) was administered prior to and 3 days after the experimental suggestions. Results generally demonstrated that high hypnotizable amnesic Ss manifested the greatest attitudinal and phenomenological changes as a result of the posthypnotic suggestion, although conclusions were tempered by performance of simulating Ss. The implications for hypnosis research and clinical practice are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Eicosanoid production and glucocorticoid regulatory mechanisms in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells.

The techniques we developed to propagate HTM cells in serial cell culture have provided an opportunity to investigate the spectrum of endogenous PGs and other eicosanoids that are produced by these cells. PGE2 and PGF2 alpha were the major cyclooxygenase products detected by both radioimmunoassay and thin-layer chromatography. A small amount of 6-keto PGF1 alpha was also detected, indicating that these cells are able to produce prostacyclin. The observation of a substantial increase in the proportion of PGF2 alpha relative to PGE2 at later time periods after a media change suggests a metabolic conversion of PGE2 to PGF2 alpha by these cells. Bradykinin, thrombin, platelet activating factor, and serum were found to be effective stimulators of PG production by HTM cells, whereas calcium ionophore produced only a minor effect. Using high pressure liquid chromatography, elution profiles of radiolabeled metabolites of AA suggested the presence of certain lipoxygenase products, including LTB4, 12-HETE, 15-HETE, and a small amount of 5-HETE in HTM cells. The formation of these products was inhibited by both DEX and BW 755c, reinforcing the view that metabolic conversions of AA through the lipoxygenase pathway were possible in the trabecular meshwork. We also examined the effects of glucocorticoids on specific protein synthesis in the HTM cells, using 35S-methionine labeling and SDS-PAGE techniques. Short-term (1 day) DEX treatment revealed a major induction of a protein band at approximately 30 kDa. Longer treatments (1 to 3 weeks) resulted in major inductions at approximately 55 kDa inside the cells, with the presence of secreted forms (probably glycoproteins) between 55 and 72 kDa. The short-term DEX effect on protein synthesis a phospholipase inhibitor regulating eicosanoid production within the HTM. The longer-term induction may, on the other hand, be related more directly to the development of steroid glaucoma, based on our findings that the inductions of these proteins correlate with the observed time course and dose-dependence topical glucocorticoid effects on IOP. Continued in vitro and in vivo evaluations of the eicosanoid pathways in cultured HTM cells obtained from normal and glaucomatous human eyes may help to delineate their relationship to IOP regulation and the pathogenesis and treatment of glaucoma. Glucocorticoid-induced proteins may be key participants in the regulation of phospholipase activity and hence may represent a major control mechanism of the AA cascade.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cells, Cultured↗