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R Westwood

Publications and source records attributed to R Westwood.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

An assessment of tree health and trace element accumulation near a coal-fired generating station, Manitoba, Canada.

A forest health assessment was performed in stands dominated by bur oak and trembling aspen to study the potential effects of airborne emissions from a 132 MW coal-fired station. Forty-two stands were sampled within a 16-km radius of the station for both foliar stress symptoms and trace element toxicology. The concentrations of tracer elements (As, Ba, Sr, and V) in the leaf litter were not spatially congruent with airborne emission deposition models (except Ba, which showed elevated levels immediately SE of the station), nor were they at phytotoxic levels. Elemental concentrations were significantly related to soil parameters including organic matter and texture. No patterns were found in forest health along directional or distance gradients from the generating station. Trembling aspen stands demonstrated little decline in general, but three of the 19 bur oak plots, all located on thin sandy soils developed on calcareous till, demonstrated branch dieback. In addition to poor soil conditions, two of these sites also had high water tables, and exhibited tree mortality. The bur oak decline did not appear to be related to emissions from the station, but is suspected to be a result of poor site quality, with urban development as a confounding factor.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2001

Inhibition of stimulated Jurkat cell adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate synthesis by the immunomodulatory compound HR325.

HR325 (2-cyano-3-cyclopropyl-3-hydroxy-N-[3'-methyl-4'(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-propenamide) is an immunomodulatory compound through pyrimidine biosynthesis inhibition with antiproliferative properties which was derived from the isoxazol compound A77 1726 [2-cyano-3-cyclopropyl-3-hydroxy-enoic acid (4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-amide]. During studies of the effects on early signal transduction events of this type of compound, it was found that HR325 dose-dependently inhibited adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) synthesis by Jurkat cells stimulated with prostaglandin E(2), (PGE(2)), cholera toxin (CTX), or forskolin (FKN). The potency of inhibition by HR325 of FKN-stimulated cells (IC(50) 30.4 microM) was approximately 3-fold higher than that of the other agonists (11.6 and 11.7 microM) and was independent of time of preincubation for both PGE(2) and FKN. Interestingly, A77 1726, an analogue of HR325, displayed a markedly different profile of stimulus-dependent potencies. The inhibition of cAMP synthesis by HR325 when stimulated by both PGE(2) and FKN was unaffected by glucose supplementation, in contrast to HR325-inhibited ATP levels, which were restored under such conditions. Further studies revealed that HR325 reduced intracellular ATP levels by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation, albeit with a 1000-fold lower potency than the antihelmintic drug niclosamide. In addition, glucose supplementation experiments showed that, in contrast to HR325, the niclosamide-mediated reduction of ATP levels was wholly responsible for its inhibition of PGE(2)- and FKN-stimulated cAMP synthesis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2000

Developing a new wound care formulary and guidelines.

Following an audit of the existing wound care formulary and guidelines, an updated version was developed, containing additional products and information. This was revised following advice from a range of professionals, then pilot tested on ward-based nurses. The nurses found the updated formulary useful, and made recommendations for changes to the wound care ordering system in the trust. Future guidelines will be regularly updated as developments in wound care occur.

Formularies as Topic↗
PubMed1998

Purification of human dihydro-orotate dehydrogenase and its inhibition by A77 1726, the active metabolite of leflunomide.

Leflunomide is currently in phase-III clinical trials for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, we have focused our efforts on the study of the mechanism of action of the active metabolite of leflunomide, A77 1726, in cells and tissue of human origin. The human high-affinity binding protein for radiolabelled A77 1726 was purified from solubilized U937 membranes by following the binding activity through the purification process and was characterized as the mitochondrial enzyme dihydro-orotate dehydrogenase (DHO-DH). The human and murine enzyme displayed identical pI and molecular mass values on SDS/PAGE (43 kDa), which contrasts notably with previous reports suggesting a molecular mass of 50 kDa for the human enzyme. DHO-DH activity was inhibited by A77 1726 and its analogue HR325 with similar potency in U937 and human spleen membrane preparations. HR325 was found to be anti-proliferative for phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, at the same concentrations that caused accumulation of DHO and depletion of uridine. Supplementation of the cultures with exogenous uridine led to partial abrogation of the anti-proliferative effect. This is in line with our recent demonstration that the anti-proliferative effect in vitro of A77 1726 on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse spleen cells was mediated by DHO-DH inhibition [Williamson, Yea, Robson, Curnock, Gadher, Hambleton, Woodward, Bruneau, Hambleton, Moss et al., (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 22467-22472]. Thus, DHO-DH inhibition by A77 1726 and its analogues is responsible for the anti-proliferative effects in vitro of the compounds on human cells and is likely to be responsible for some of its effects in vivo.

Aniline Compounds↗
PubMed1997

Treatment with neutralizing antibodies specific for IL-1beta prevents cyclophosphamide-induced diabetes in nonobese diabetic mice.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of IDDM, but it is not clear which form, IL-1alpha or IL-1beta, is predominantly implicated. In this study, we have evaluated the contribution of IL-1beta by treating diabetes-prone nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice with specific neutralizing antibodies. First, we assessed the neutralizing potential of these antibodies in C57BL/6 mice under acute septic shock by measuring IL-1beta in sera 4 h after lipopolysaccharide injection. One milligram and 0.1 mg of anti-IL-1beta antibodies (Abs) were capable of neutralizing the IL-1beta produced, and the effect persisted for at least 5 days. Second, we evaluated the role of IL-1beta in the cyclophosphamide (CY)-accelerated model of diabetes. Nondiabetic male NOD mice were injected with 200 mg/kg CY and treated twice weekly with anti-IL-1beta Ab. The incidence of diabetes reached 76 and 100% in the control groups treated with 0.25 and 0.1 mg rabbit IgG, respectively. In contrast, only 34% of mice treated with 0.25 mg of anti-IL-1beta Ab became diabetic. In the group treated with 0.1 mg of anti-IL-1beta Ab, 89% of the mice became diabetic in the same period of time, demonstrating that the protective effect was dose dependent. Our results show that IL-1beta is a critical effector molecule in this model of IDDM and that its specific inhibition could be an attractive target for therapeutic intervention.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Potencies of leflunomide and HR325 as inhibitors of prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase-1 and -2: comparison with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The relative anti-inflammatory activities of the immunomodulators HR325 and leflunomide, or its active metabolite A77 1726, were examined by determining potencies in vitro on prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase (PGHS) and in vivo in rat air pouch inflammation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were used as comparators. HR325 was more potent than A77 1726 as an inhibitor of PGHS in guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (IC50 = 415 and 4400 nM, respectively) and on isolated ovine PGHS-1 (IC50 = 64 and 742 microM) and PGHS-2 (IC50 = 100 and 2766 microM). In vivo, in rat carrageenan air pouch inflammation, HR325 but not leflunomide at 25 mg/kg inhibited accumulation of leukocytes (48%) and PGE2 (61%). HR325 was also more potent than A77 1726 against human peripheral blood mononuclear cell PGHS-1 [IC50 = 1.6 and 25.6 microM (thromboxane B2 production) or 1.1 and 8 microM (PGE2 production)] and lipopolysaccharide-induced PGHS-2 in human adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells (IC50 = 435 nM and 9.5 microM) and peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (IC50 = 91 nM and 3.2 microM). HR325 had low PGHS-2 selectivity in the human (2.5-12-fold) and was a more potent PGHS-2 inhibitor than naproxen, ibuprofen and piroxicam (28-fold). Assays using endogenous arachidonic acid as substrate yielded IC50 values for NSAIDs that were in general markedly lower than those published for assays using 10 microM substrate. With this approach, piroxicam had reasonable activity on human PGHS-2 (IC50 = 260-290 nM). Only NS398 and flufenamic acid were PGHS-2 selective in the human (90-330-fold and 37-60-fold, respectively); the other NSAIDs were either PGHS-1-selective (naproxen, ibuprofen, flurbiprofen and indomethacin) or nonselective (piroxicam and diclofenac). Inclusion of 10% human plasma reduced HR325 potency against PGHS-1 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells approximately 32-fold (IC50 = 36 microM). Plasma protein binding further reduced HR325 potency (IC50 = 164 microM) and minimized the difference between HR325 and A77 1726 (IC50 = 292 microM) in a whole blood PGHS assay. Whether the greater activity against human PGHS-2 would allow HR325 to exhibit NSAID-like therapeutic effects in humans remains unclear.

Aniline Compounds↗
PubMed1996

Synthesis, structure-activity relationships, and pharmacokinetic properties of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitors: 2-cyano-3-cyclopropyl-3-hydroxy-N-[3'-methyl-4'-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl ] propenamide and related compounds.

The active metabolite (2) of the novel immunosuppressive agent leflunomide (1) has been shown to inhibit the enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH). This enzyme catalyzes the fourth step in de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. A series of analogues of the active metabolite 2 have been synthesized. Their in vivo biological activity determined in rat and mouse delayed type hypersensitivity has been found to correlate well with their in vitro DHODH potency. The most promising compound (3) has shown activity in rat and mouse collagen (II)-induced arthritis models (ED50 = 2 and 31 mg/kg, respectively) and has shown a shorter half-life in man when compared with leflunomide. Clinical studies in rheumatoid arthritis are in progress.

Acrylamides↗
PubMed1995

Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase is a high affinity binding protein for A77 1726 and mediator of a range of biological effects of the immunomodulatory compound.

A protein with high affinity (Kd 12 nM) for the immunomodulatory compound A77 1726 has been isolated from mouse spleen and identified as the mitochondrial enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.3.1). The purified protein had a pI 9.6-9.8 and a subunit Mr of 43,000. Peptides derived from the mouse protein displayed high microsequence similarity to human and rat dihydroorotate dehydrogenase with, respectively, 35 and 39 out of 43 identified amino acids identical. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase catalyzes the fourth step in de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. The in vitro antiproliferative effects of A77 1726 are mediated by enzyme inhibition and can be overcome by addition of exogenous uridine. The rank order of potency of A77 1726 and its analogues in binding or enzyme inhibition was similar to that for inhibition of the mouse delayed type hypersensitivity response. It is proposed that inhibition of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase is an in vivo mechanism of action of the A77 1726 class of compounds. This was confirmed using uridine to counteract inhibition of the murine acute graft versus host response.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

2-(oxadiazolyl)- and 2-(thiazolyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines as agonists and inverse agonists at benzodiazepine receptors.

Oxadiazoles, like the benzoyl group in a series of imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines, have been found to be metabolically stable alternatives to ester groups in benzodiazepine-receptor ligands. This change has lead to a number of compounds which bind to the receptors and which exhibit potent agonist activity in a food-motivated conflict test thought to predict anxiolytic properties. Compounds 4, 5, and 13 were equipotent with chlordiazepoxide but showed little or no myorelaxant effects. Replacing the oxadiazole group by thiazole gave compounds such as 23 which binds to the benzodiazepine receptor but exhibits the intrinsic activity of a partial inverse agonist in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

(Imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-2-yl)phenylmethanones and related compounds as potential nonsedative anxiolytics.

Several series of heterocyclic carboxylic esters were found to be active in the benzodiazepine receptor binding assay, a typical example being ethyl 7-ethyl-5-methoxyimidazo[1,2-a]quinoline-2-carboxylate (4b) with an IC50 of 150 nM. The corresponding phenylmethanone 5d was more potent with an IC50 of 14 nM and was orally active in animal models thought to predict anxiolytic effects. The synthesis of a large number of compounds resulted in the optimization of this activity in a series of (imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-2-yl)phenylmethanones of which compounds 7e, 8b, 8h, 8j, and 8k were equipotent with chlordiazepoxide while exhibiting reduced anticonvulsant activity, little or no muscle relaxation, and negligible sedative effects.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Synthesis and antitussive activity of aminotetra- (and -hexa-) hydrodibenzofurans.

The synthesis of a novel series of antitussive agents is described. Two series of amino-substituted tetra- and hexahydrodibenzofurans were prepared and examined for antitussive activity in the guinea pig after cough elicited by electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve. A significant level of activity, comparable with that of codeine, was found in the 4alpha-amino series. The 4-methylpiperazin-1-ylpropionamide (28) was found to be the most active of the compounds synthesized and was equipment with codeine. The effects of structural modification upon antitussive activity were investigated in numerous analogues but no enhancement of activity was achieved over that of 28.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Urinary tract toxicity in rats following administration of beta 3-adrenoceptor agonists.

ZD7114, [(S)-4-[2-(2-hydroxy-3 phenoxypropylamine)ethoxy]-N-(2-methoxyethyl) phenoxyacetamide], and ZD2079, [(R)-N-(2-[4- (carboxymethyl)phenoxy]ethyl)-N-(beta-hydroxyphenethyl)ammonium chloride], are beta 3-adrenoceptor stimulants with selectivity for brown adipose tissue. ZD7144 is the hydrochloride salt of the S-enantiomer of the racemic amide ZD2079. They were developed as potential novel treatments for obesity and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Male and female rats were dosed separately by gavage for a minimum of 28 days with 0, 10, 50, and 500 mg/kg/day of ZD7114 or with 0, 10, 30, and 150 mg/kg/day of ZD2079. Two further groups of male and female rats were dosed with 0 and 500 mg/kg/day of ZD7114 for 28 days and were then allowed a 6-wk, undosed withdrawal period. At high doses, both compounds caused urinary tract toxicity, which primarily affected the distal tubules and collecting ducts of the kidney via tubular necrosis. They also caused ureteric inflammation, cystitis, and accumulation of crystalline inclusions throughout the urinary tract. As a result of urinary tract toxicity, affected animals from one or both studies showed reduced red blood cell indices, lower platelet counts, and higher white cell counts. Blood chemistry revealed lower plasma concentrations of glucose (7.28 +/- 1.37 compared to 8.11 +/- 0.65 for the control) and total protein (63.42 +/- 3.65 compared to 69.17 +/- 3.24 for the control) and increased plasma urea (37.15 +/- 19.96 compared to 8.09 +/- 0.87 for the control). Urinalysis showed an increase in the number of crystals, blood, and protein. In the urinary tract, the severe crystalluria with accumulation of crystalline material indicated that this may have a role in the etiology of the target organ toxicity. Poor solubility of the compounds at normal urinary pH was considered a possible mechanism for the crystalluria.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗