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Biomedical subjects

S Range

Publications and source records attributed to S Range.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Regulation of vitellogenesis in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Studies were undertaken to investigate vitellogenesis and its regulation in female adults of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. A single female-specific protein, likely to be the S. frugiperda vitellogenin (Vg), appeared approximately 5 h after adult eclosion in the hemolymph of virgin females. The concentration of the protein increased with age as sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed. A protein with the same relative molecular mass was also present in egg extracts, but absent from hemolymph samples from male moths. The relative molecular mass of the designated S. frugiperda Vg was determined as 164.5+/-2.5 kDa. Vitellogenic oocytes became visible 36-48 h after emergence and egg deposition began on day 3 of adult life. Vg could not be detected in the hemolymph of females decapitated directly after eclosion. When decapitated virgin females were injected with the JH-mimic methoprene (MP), the level of Vg was comparable to that in non-decapitated moths, indicating that vitellogenesis in S. frugiperda depends on juvenile hormone (JH). However, the number of vitellogenic oocytes was somewhat lower than in non-decapitated virgin females. Injection of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) promoted Vg production to a similar extent in decapitated female moths, but in contrast to methoprene injection, treatment with 20E never resulted in the production of vitellogenic oocytes. In vitro cultivated ovaries of adult females dissected directly after eclosion produced lower amounts of ecdysteroids than those isolated on day 1 after emergence. Our results suggest a crucial role for 20E in the induction of vitellogenesis in the noctuid S. frugiperda, while JH seems to be essential for the continued uptake of Vg by developing oocytes and may trigger 20E biosynthesis in the ovary.

Journal Article↗

Na+/K+ ATPase in lower airway epithelium from cystic fibrosis and non-cystic-fibrosis lung.

The basolateral Na+/K+ ATPase plays a critical role in sodium reabsorption across airway epithelium. Nasal epithelium shows increased Na+/K+ ATPase activity in cystic fibrosis (CF) but Na+/K+ ATPase has not been characterized in human lung epithelium or compared in CF and normal lung. We measured 3[H] ouabain binding and Na+/K+ ATPase activity in human tracheal epithelium and compared Na/K ATPase activity in bronchial epithelium in CF and control subjects. In tracheal epithelium Na+/K+ ATPase pumps were abundant and of high 3[H] ouabain affinity (Kd 4.7 nM, Bmax 38 pmol/mg) and Na+/K+ ATPase activity was 55 +/- 8 nmol/mg protein/min. Bronchial epithelial Na+/K+ ATPase activity was twofold higher in CF patients than in controls. The increased Na+/K+ ATPase activity may contribute to the increased sodium reabsorption seen in cystic fibrosis.

Adolescent↗

Regulation of cGMP by soluble and particulate guanylyl cyclases in cultured human airway smooth muscle.

Although guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) acts as a relaxant second messenger, the regulation of intracellular cGMP has not been comprehensively studied in human airway smooth muscle. We studied the production of cGMP by cultured human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMC) after stimulation with activators of soluble guanylyl cyclase [sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP)] and particulate guanylyl cyclase [atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), and Escherichia coli heat stable enterotoxin (STa)]. cGMP was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Both SNP (10(-6) to 10(-3) M) and SNAP (10(-6) to 10(-3) M) caused concentration-dependent elevation of cGMP in the presence of the nonselective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (10(-3) M), with cGMP increasing 6- and 15-fold in response to SNP and SNAP, respectively, at the highest concentration tested (10(-3) M). The increases in cGMP in response to SNP (5 x 10(-5) M) and SNAP (10(-5) M) were inhibited by hemoglobin (Hb; 5 x 10(-5) M), a nitric oxide scavenger, and methylene blue (MB; 5 x 10(-4) M), an inhibitor of guanylyl cyclase. cGMP accumulation after SNAP was abolished by both Hb and MB. The response to SNP was inhibited by 79% with Hb and was abolished with MB. ANP, BNP, and CNP (10(-9) to 10(-5) M) + phosphoramidon (10(-6) M) caused a concentration-dependent elevation in cGMP with an order of potency ANP > BNP > CNP. cGMP formation in the presence of the highest concentration of the most potent natriuretic peptide (10(-5) M ANP) was two- to threefold greater than with the highest concentration of SNAP. The increase in cGMP seen with natriuretic peptides was similar in the presence or absence of phosphoramidon, a neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitor, suggesting that NEP is not playing a role in modulating the effect of natriuretic peptides in HASMC. STa (400 IU/ml) had no effect on cGMP levels. SNAP- and ANP-induced cGMP accumulation was increased by the selective type V PDE inhibitors SKF-96231 and zaprinast, suggesting that type V PDE is responsible for cGMP breakdown in HASMC. These results suggest that cultured HASMC contain both soluble and particulate guanylyl cyclases. The order of potency of the natriuretic peptides ANP > BNP > CNP suggests that type A particulate membrane-bound guanylate cyclase predominates.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Face burn reconstruction--does early excision and autografting improve aesthetic appearance?

Despite improvements in functional rehabilitation secondary to better control of scar and contractures, aesthetic rehabilitation of the extensively burned face has remained a difficult problem. This study was undertaken to evaluate both technique and aesthetic results of early excision and split thickness autografting (STAG) of full skin thickness face burns. Twenty-five patients with full skin thickness face burns were operated on between days 4 and 14 post-burn. Thirteen patients had excision and STAG in one stage. Twelve patients had a two-stage procedure-excision and coverage with a biological dressing followed 24-72 h later by STAG. Seven of these patients had a pressure dressing in the form of a silicone face mask applied at the second stage. Early cosmetic results were encouraging in all patients. Twenty-five per cent of patients later required either contracture release or skin resurfacing. Preliminary results are encouraging and warrant evaluation by surgeons at other centres. When early excision of full skin thickness face burns is undertaken, cautious optimism as to the ultimate aesthetic result, both by the surgeon and the patient, is advisable.

Adolescent↗