Showing papers by "University of Tennessee Health Science Center published in 1979"

Pressor responsiveness to vasopressin in the rat with DOC-salt hypertension

Abstract: To further characterize the role of vasopressin in DOC-salt hypertension, four groups of unilaterally nephrectomized rats were studied: control rats given no further treatment, rats treated with DOC and given 1% saline to drink, or rats treated with only DIC or 1% saline had similar pressor responses to exogenous vasopressin and angiotensin II. Within the DOC-salt group, two populations of rats were identified: one with normal pressor responsiveness to vasopressin, and one with markedly enhanced pressor responsiveness to vasopressin. Incidence of enhanced responsiveness increased with duration of treatment. Urinary excretion of vasopressin was elevated in the 1% saline and DOC-salt groups after 1 week of treatment, and in the DOC group after 4 weeks. However, the plasma vasopressin concentration was elevated only in the rats treated with both DOC and saline. It is suggested that vasopressin is essential for the expansion of blood volume in the early stages of DOC-salt hypertension, and functions as a direct pressor agent only in the later stages.

Clear cell carcinoma of the endometrium.

Abstract: The clinical data of 22 patients with clear cell adenocarcinoma of the endometrium treated at the University of North Carolina Memorial Hospital are reported. In addition, the data with particular reference to survival, site of recurrence, and treatment are combined with information from two previous reports of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the endometrium to better define survival. It is noted that the patients with clear cell adenocarcinoma of the endometrium were older and had an overall poorer survival than is reported for adenocarcinoma of the endometrium (nonclear cell). Patients with Stage I clear cell carcinoma of the endometrium, however, had a similar five-year survival to Stage I adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. The paper also examines treatment methods and correlates these with site of recurrence as well as survival.

Women's vaginal responses during REM Sleep.

Abstract: Eight female subjects underwent vaginal photoplethysmographic recordings while asleep. Results demonstrated consistent findings of decreases in relative blood volume and increases in relative pulse pressure within the vagina during REM periods. Thes vascular changes indicate that females undergo phasic shifts in vascular blood flow in the vagina during REM sleep, similar to the phasic shifts of blood flow in the male's penis during REM sleep.

Okadaic acid-induced transcriptional downregulation of type I collagen gene expression is mediated by protein phosphatase 2A

Abstract: Expression of type I collagen genes is highly regulated and becomes abnormal in various pathological conditions, from excessive collagen production in fibrotic diseases to their downregulation in transformed cells. Some inflammatory cytokines and other ligands, capable of eliciting intracellular phosphorylation, can profoundly alter collagen gene expression. We investigated the role of serine/threonine protein phosphatases (PP) in the regulation of collagen gene expression. Biosynthesis of the endogenous type I procollagen, and expression of Proal(I) promoter-luciferase (Luc) constructs transfected in NIH3T3 fibroblasts, were evaluated in response to PP2A and PP I inhibitor okadaic acid (OA) and exogenously expressed PP catalytic subunits. OA suppressed type I collagen gene expression as judged by reduced rates of protein synthesis, steady state levels of Proα 1(I) collagen mRNA and expression of Luc driven by Proa 1(I) collagen promoter in OA-treated cells. Co-transfection of Proα 1(I)-Luc with expression vectors containing PP2A, but not PPI, stimulated collagen promoter activity. These results strongly suggest that OA acts via PP2A-mediated dephosphorylation of an unidentified transcription factor(s) or cofactor(s) needed to activate Proαl(I) collagen promoter.

Soft tissue ameloblastoma.

Abstract: A case of massive peripheral ameloblastoma is presented. The lesion had been present for many years and had apparently spread by direct extension. There has been no recurrence after two years of follow-up. Proper oropharyngeal continuity has been maintained by the placement of a maxillary prosthesis.

Transfusion Therapy in Pregnant Patients with Sickle-Cell Disease: A National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference

Abstract: Excerpt Four consensus groups met in Bethesda, Maryland, on 23 and 24 April 1979 to consider whether there is sufficient evidence about prophylactic transfusion therapy to advocate its use for trea...

Structure-activity relationships of an aminosugar cardiac glycoside, ASI-222 HCl, in the heart-lung preparation of the dog.

Abstract: Synopsis: ASI-222 [3-β-O-(4-amino-4, 6-dideoxy-β-D-galactopyranosyl) digitoxigenin HCl] is a semisynthetic aminosugar cardiac glycoside that has been shown to have a greater therapeutic index than ouabain or digoxin in dogs. We have compared the effects of ASI, digitoxigenin, digitoxigenin-β-D-galactose, and digoxin in the dog heart-lung preparation. Minute work and stroke work were calculated. Controls were obtained before and after the hearts were failed with sodium pentobarbital. ASI-222 is about three times more potent than digitoxigenin and about twice as potent as digitoxigenin-β-D-galactose in producing similar increases in the left ventricular stroke work. ASI-222 is about three times more potent than digoxin in increasing left ventricular stroke work. Our results indicate that the addition of an aminosugar group to the genin further increased potency over that observed with the addition of a single neutral sugar and prolonged the duration of activity in failing myocardial tissue.

Intravenous Ethchlorvynol-Induced Pulmonary Edema

Abstract: A case report of intravenous ethchlorvynol-induced pulmonary edema is presented Approximately 450 mg of ethchlorvynol was withdrawn from a Placidyl® capsule and injected by a 30-year-old man Respiratory symptoms occurred within twenty minutes and a chest X-ray taken within two hours revealed diffuse bilateral pulmonary infiltrates The patient's condition improved rapidlyA pertinent feature of the case is the comparatively low dose of ethchlorvynol which caused pulmonary edema It is also of note that two colleagues of the patient did not have evidence of any adverse effects after injecting approximately 180 mg of ethchlorvynol

Effectiveness of combined preventive methods on erupting teeth in children in a fluoridated community.

Abstract: Several preventive methods were used in combination to reduce dental caries in children residing in a fluoridated area. The methods included dental health education, prophylaxis, pit and fissure sealants, topical fluoride and restorative care. Prophylaxis, sealant and fluoride procedures were repeated every 6 months. Sealant was applied to all fully erupted caries free posterior teeth in the mouth. This report compares results obtained for teeth that erupted after the study began with those teeth that were already present at the time treatment procedures were applied. Percent reductions in caries increment for newly erupted teeth at the end of 3 years for treated 6th graders was 77.5 % in DMFT and 79.2% DMFS as compared to 71 % and 58.3 % for previously erupted teeth. Results for children in 1st grade did not show such beneficial results. Permanent first molars in younger children appear to be highly susceptible to caries. Sealant retention for newly erupted teeth follows the same pattern as for teeth previously erupted.

Acetaminophen assay: the clinical consequences of a colorimetric vs a high-pressure liquid chromatography determination in the assessment of two potentially poisoned patients.

Abstract: Following acetaminophen (APAP) overdosage, plasma half-life of APAP elimination appears to be a good prognostic indicator of potential hepatic toxicity. A half-life of greater than 4 hr is often associated with liver injury. In two patients who each allegedly ingested greater than 13 gm of APAP, serial assay procedures were performed using both a colorimetric (nitrous acid chromophore) method and HPLC for all samples. The data obtained were used to determine the plasma half life. A comparison of the results obtained from both methods revealed a significant variation. It appears that the colorimetric method, at lower plasma concentrations of APAP (less than 50 microgram/ml), overestimates the actual drug concentration, resulting in the calculation of a falsely prolonged plasma half-life. This may result in the unnecessary implementation of antidotal therapy. The HPLC method is considered to be more specific than the colorimetric analysis and to better reflect actual plasma APAP concentrations, especially at lower concentrations of APAP.

Clinical pharmacy service: contributions on a part-time basis.

Abstract: Staffing a majority of hospitals with full-time clinical pharmacists is an aim that will not be attainable for many years. In an effort to demonstrate an interim approach to clinical practice that could be applied to a large percentage of hospitals, a part-time clinical pharmacist's services were documented. Serving a teaching hospital with an average census of 97 patients, the pharmacist, with a 50 percent time allotment for clinical services, monitored 229 total admissions during an eleven week period. The majority of patients were on either a pulmonary medicine or urology service. The total number of actions taken as a result of pharmacy consultations was 106, with 70 percent of these being related to dosing problems. It was concluded that a pharmacist providing clinical services to a large patient population on a less than full-time basis can have a positive impact on drug therapy.