Browsing by Subject "Animal Sciences"
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Item Age Related Changes in Rabbit Cornea: Permeability and Membrane Properties(1994-12-01) Tai-Lee, Ke; Clark, Abbot F.; Gracy, Robert W.; McConathy, Walter J.Ke, Tai-Lee, Age Related Changes in Rabbit Cornea: Permeability and Membrane Properties. Doctor of Philosophy (Biochemistry), December, 1994, 139 pp., 26 tables, 13 illustrations, bibliography, 117 titles. This investigation was designed to characterize age-related changes in corneal function and biochemical structure. The specific aims were to: 1) systematically assess changes in permeability to compounds of different molecular weights and lipophilicities, 2) examine differences in tissue binding by utilizing a theoretical transport model, and 3) evaluate the biochemical changes in lipid composition and distribution. Experiments to compare young (six weeks) versus old (three to four years) rabbit corneal permeability were carried out utilizing an in vitro diffusion model. Changes in corneal transmembrane resistance, permeability to various compounds, and metabolic capability were examined by various analytical techniques. In addition, a theoretical penetration model which took into account stromal binding was studied. Corneal lipid composition and distribution were assessed by HPLC and GC. in corneal transmembrane resistance, permeability to various compounds, and metabolic capability were examined by various analytical techniques. In addition, a theoretical penetration model which took into account stromal binding was studied. Corneal lipid composition and distribution were assessed by HPLC and GC. Permeabilities of selected compounds with different physicochemical properties were evaluated in young and old intact and denuded (wounded) rabbit corneas. With age, the membrane permeability significantly decreased in parallel with an increase in transmembrane resistance. Age-related changes in activities of esterase and phosphatase were also found. For some compounds, the aged corneas exhibited longer lag times in penetration studies. This suggested that the binding constant in the cornea from older animals was higher than in young animals. Maximum binding capacity from theoretical model calculations correlated well with experimental results in the young corneal stroma but correlation was less rigorous for old corneal stroma. Age-related changes in lipid composition and distribution in corneas were observed and provide indirect evidence for a decrease in membrane fluidity (decrease in the ratio of phosphatidylcholine/sphingomyelin) in the aged cornea. Results indicate that the aging process in the cornea is associated with changes in biochemical structural matrix including membrane lipid composition and physical properties such as fluidity (microviscosity). Functional correlations include changes in: 1) transmembrane resistance, 2) membrane permeability, 3) enzymatic activities (esterase and phosphatase), and 4) binding properties of the cornea. A possible mechanism for understanding and developing an intervention for age-related changes in the cornea is postulated.Item An Analytical Study of the Perceptions, Prevention Strategies, Treatment and Economic Impact of Equine West Nile Virus(2004-06-01) Galvan, Robert; Lurie, Sue; Singh, Karan; Gonzalez, AdelaGalvan, Robert, M.P.H., M.S. An Analytical Study of the Perceptions, Prevention Strategies, Treatment and Economic Impact of Equine West Nile Virus. Doctor of Public Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences, June 2004, 109 pp., 16 Tables, 15 Figures, 47 Titles. Since the introduction of the West Nile Virus (WNV) in the United State in 1999, WNV has been the cause of disease and deaths in humans, wild birds, zoo birds, and horses. In 2002, more than 15,000 equines in 40 states were diagnosed with illness associated with WNV. Approximately one third of those horses died or were euthanized (Campbell et al, 2002). Horses are infected with the WNV more often than humans or any other mammal. It is becoming on e of the fastest growing health threats to horses nationwide. Texas responded to the discovery of WNV by expanding their surveillance systems in the eastern counties of the state (Texas Department of Health, 2003). Positive reports for WNV were announced in 2002, which prompted an increase in public education and equine vaccination recommendations. Although much has been reported on the economic impact WNV has on human health and hospital care facilities, documentation is lacking on these issues in the equine population. Understanding the biology, epidemiology, economic impact, and how WNV affects the equine industry are important aspects to public health programs and prevention activities. The objectives of this study are to: (1) examine WNV cases in the equine population in Texas in order to better understand the distribution of clinical disease, signs, treatments and outcomes; (2) to provide information regarding the perceptions, knowledge, concerns, and treatment of the WNV by Texas veterinarians; and (3) to determine the economic impact of the WNV on the equine population in the state. A 14 question survey was mailed to licensed veterinarians in Texas in an effort to gather information about their perceptions and beliefs of the WNV, recommended treatment preferences, and the estimated cost of treatment. Outcomes included case fatality rate, descriptive data, veterinarians’ knowledge of WNV, veterinarians’ beliefs/perceptions of WNV, and the economic impact of WNV. Descriptive analyses were performed by using SPSS version 11. The methods used for analysis of WNV data were primarily simple descriptive statistics including summations and frequencies. A cross-tabulation was performed between the results of Questions 1, 2, and 3 and a variable created to approximate the number of veterinarians that actually treated cases of WNV (treat). A cross-tabulation and Chi-square analysis was performed between the treatment variables (treat) and derived variables of Questions 1, 2, and 3 to examine differing beliefs and knowledge between veterinarians who had treated WNV and those who had not. Seven hundred of 4,177 surveys returned yielded a response rate of 16.8 percent. Among the veterinarians, 73.4% (514/691) believed that they are receiving or received enough training and/or education concerning WNV. The vaccination regimen is believed to be effective and reliable by 56.1% (393/691) of the respondents. There were 1,256 cases of equine WNV reported confirmed via laboratory testing. There were also 766 cases reported that were not confirmed via laboratory testing. Among the 2,022 diagnosed cases, 257 were vaccinated against WNV prior to illness; and, 159 cases were vaccinated after signs of illness. A total of 441 horses died as either a direct cause of the disease or by owner or veterinarian elected euthanasia. The most common criteria used to decide euthanasia in these horses was prolonged recumbency as reported by 44.2% (87/197) or the veterinarians. Fifty-two percent (233/488) of the veterinarians did not recommend prevention strategies to equine owners. The cost of vaccination regimen was reported by 63% (269/434) of the veterinarians to be $25 or less. The results of the survey suggest that there could be a need for WVN education among veterinarians in areas of prevention, control, and treatment. Future studies should be conducted to examine owner perceptions, knowledge and beliefs of WNV vaccinations and prevention strategies. Values for lost horses were not solicited in the survey, thus, a total economic impact could not be completely estimated. However, a formula to approximate the aggregate economic impact of the WNV on the Texas equine industry was employed.Item Corticotropin-Releasing Factor and Corticosterone Modulate the Anxiogenic-Like Effects of mCPP(1998-06-01) Jenkins, Jennifer A.; Michael Forster; Robert Luedtke; Patricia GwirtzJenkins, Jennifer A., Corticotropin-Releasing Factor and Corticosterone Modulate the Anxiogenic-Like Effects of mCPP. Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacology), June 1998, 119 pp., 2 tables, 29 figures, bibliography, 100 titles. The administration of PTZ or mCPP produces anxiety-like behavior as measured by an increase in the percentage of entries into the open arms and the time spent on the open arms of the elevated plus maze (Prunell et al., 1994). Reportedly, PTZ and mCPP substitute for each other in the drug discrimination paradigm (Wallis and Laz, 1998). It is therefore suggested that commonality exists among anxiogenic drugs as perceived by trained animals. Andrews and Stephen (1990) suggested that this overall parallelism is an indication that anxiogenic agents may possess similar properties. Therefore, the question posed is as follows: Is there a common denominator anxiety? The global hypothesis is that the core component of anxiety produced by anxiogenic agents or processes involves stimulation of the HPA axis to release CRF, ACTH and/or CORT. Long Evans rats were trained to discriminate either mCPP (1.4 mg/kg) or PTZ (16mg/kg) from saline in a two-lever choice procedure (FR10) which is food reinforced. Animals were pretreated with CRF, α-helical CRF (a CRF antagonist), two steroid synthesis inhibitors (ketoconazole, KETZ and aminoglutethimide, AMG), CORT or underwent an adrenalectomy prior to behavioral testing in order to test the hypothesis that the release of CRF and/or CORT are components of the discriminate stimulus of the mCPP and/or PTZ. Pretreatment with CRF, KETZ, AMG and an adrenalectomy facilitated mCPP level selection. However in the absence of mCPP neither drug nor adrenalectomy produced drug lever selection. In addition CORT did not alter the mCPP dose response curve. However, CORT replacement therapy returned the does response curve to baseline in adrenalectomized animals. Alpha-helical CRF did not block mCPP discrimination. Unlike mCPP-trained animals, KETZ and AMG decreased PTZ-lever selection in PTZ-trained animals. In addition, CORT enhanced and partially substituted for the discriminative stimulus of PTZ. However, adrenalectomy completely abolished drug lever selection in PTZ animals. To compare the discriminative stimulus effects of mCPP and PTZ, PTZ-trained animals were injected with cumulative doses of mCPP. mCPP-trained animals were injected with cumulative doses of PTZ. mCPP and PTZ minimally substituted for each other. The results suggested that neither CRF nor CORT are components of the discriminative stimulus of mCCP and that the role of the HPA axis in mCPP discrimination maybe be a modulator of the stress response. However, CORT is a component of the discriminative stimulus of PTZ such that CORT is necessary for drug lever selection in PTZ trained animals.Item Delta Opiod Receptor: Parasympathetic Location and Changing Phenotypes in Canine Heart(2007-07-01) Deo, Shekhar H.; James L. Caffrey; H. Fred Downey; Michael SmithDeo, Shekhar H., Delta Opioid Receptor: Parasympathetic Location and Changing Phenotypes in Canine Heart. Doctor of Philosophy (Integrative Physiology), July 23, 112 pp, 4 tables, 24 figures. Delta opioid receptors (DOR) have long been implicated in the complex mechanism of ischemic preconditioning (IPC). Repeated arterial occlusion of the SA node artery in IPC protocol progressively raised the nodal encephalin concentrations and improved vagal transmission during a subsequent extended occlusion. This vagatonic effect was reversed by the DOR-1 antagonist, BNTX. The present thesis tested whether the IPC protocol, the prolonged occlusion or a combination of both was required to demonstrate the vagotonic effect. The study also tested whether the evolution of the vagotonic effect during occlusion might be attributed to erosion of completing vagolytic effects. A progressive improvement in vagal transmission was observed during the IPC protocol. The vagotonic effect was not observed during sham occlusions or during occlusions in animals pretreated with a DOR-1 antagonist. Following the IPC protocol, exogenous MEAP reduced vagal transmission under both normal and occluded conditions. The magnitude of the vagolytic effects was however significantly reduced and eroded further over time compared to time matched shams. The loss of the response was not altered by prior DOR-1. The magnitude of the vagolytic effects was however significantly reduced and eroded further over time compared to time matched shams, however the failure of DOR-1 blockade to slow that process suggests that the PC mediated erosion is independent of receptor activation by DOR-1 agonists. Although DORs are associated with IPC, their precise location remains unconfirmed. DOR and autonomic markers vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were labeled in tissue sections and synaptosomes from canine atrium and SA node. Synapsin I verified the neural character of labeled structures. Acetylcholine and norepinephrine content indicated both cholinergic and adrenergic synaptosomes are present. VAChT and TH signals indicated more than 80% of synapsin positive synaptosomes were cholinergic and less than 8% were adrenergic. Western blots of synaptosomal extracts confirmed by two DOR bands at molecular weights corresponding to reports for DOR monomers and dimmers. The preferential association of DORs with cholinergic nerve terminals supports the hypothesis that post-ganglionic prejunctional DORs regulate local vagal transmission within the heart.Item Dysfunctional Control of Coronary Blood Flow in Renovascular Hypertension(1999-06-01) Kline, Geoffrey Philip; Gwirtz, Patricia A.; Shi, Xiangrong; Raven, Peter B.Kline, Geoffrey Philip, Dysfunctional Control of Coronary Blood Flow in Renovascular Hypertension Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedical Sciences), June 1999, 98 pp, 2 tables, 10 figures, references, 142 titles. This study was designed to determine the effects of renovascular hypertension (RVH) on coronary vasoreactivity in conscious, chronically instrumented dogs. Six dogs were instrumented to measure left ventricular pressure, +dP/dtmax, heart rate, mean aortic pressure, circumflex blood flow (CBF), and cardiac output. In order to examine endothelial-dependent and independent coronary vasodilation, intracoronary injections of actylcholine (Ach), bradykinin (BDK), and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were studied before and after induction of RVH in the presence and absence of nitric oxide (NO) blockade. After RVH, resting CBF was significantly reduced (P [less than] 0.05). In the normotensive state, NO-blockade significantly reduced the coronary vasodilation to Ach and BDK (P [less than] 0.05), but not SNP. After RVH, the coronary vasodilation to Ach, BDK, and SNP were reduced (P[less than] 0.05). After RVH, NO-blockade further reduced the coronary vasodilation to BDK (P [less than] 0.05), but not Ach. Thus, RVH resulted in an impairment of both endothelial-dependent and –independent coronary vasodilation. It also appears that during RVH the endothelium retains the ability to produce/release NO to some, but not all, stimuli. In order to examine the possibility that β-adrenergic mediated coronary vasodilation is impaired after RVH, intracoronary injections of norepinephrine (NE), isoproterenol (ISO), and terbutaline (TRB) were administered. These drugs all caused dose dependent increases in CBF before and after RVH. After RVH, the coronary vasodilatory responses to NE, ISO and TRB were significantly reduced (P [less than] 0.05). β1-blockade with intracoronary atenolol (1 mg) reduced the ISO-induced increases in CBF and had no effect on TRB responses (P [less than] 0.05). β2-blockade with intracoronary ICI-118,551 (1 mg) reduced the ISO-induced coronary vasodilation and abolished TRB responses (p[less than] 0.05). During β2-blockade, ISO-induced increases in CBF were not different after RVH. Therefore, these data indicate that β1-adrenergic mediated coronary vasodilation is preserved after RVH, whereas, β2-mediated is not. We conclude that 1) RVH results in an impairment of both endothelial-dependent and –independent coronary vasodilation; 2) RVH results in an impairment of β2-adrenergic mediated coronary vasodilation.Item Effects of Testosterone on Obesity-Related Cardiac Hypertrophy and Fibrosis(2009-08-01) Wilson, Ana Kaye; Joan F. Carroll; James L. Caffrey; Robert T. MalletWilson, Ana Kaye. Effects of testosterone on obesity-related cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Master of Science (Integrative Physiology), August 2009, 71 pp, 3 tables, 6 figures. Both testosterone and obesity are known to increase renin-angiotensin system activity, leading to cardiovascular dysfunction. This study determined the interactive effects of obesity and testosterone on left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiac fibrotic factors. Male New Zealand White rabbits were fed a lean or 10% added fat diet. After 12 weeks, fat-fed rabbits exhibited increased left ventricular weight (6.05±0.16 vs. 4.75±0.10 g, respectively, p≤0.05) and cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area compared to lean rabbits (372.3±19.0 vs. 305.0±13.4μm2, respectively; p≤0.01). These effects were attenuated by both castration and treatment with the angiotensin type 1 receptor blocker, losartan. Obese rabbits did not exhibit increased myocardial collagen as expected. However, castration and losartan treatment increased matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity in obese rabbits. Despite the effects of castration hypertrophy and MMP-2 activity, castration did not attenuate plasma renin activity of aldosterone. These data suggest that testosterone contributes to obesity-related left ventricular hypertrophy and decreases collagen degradation, independent of renin activity.Item Epidemiology and Diagnostic Testing of Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) Infection in Ungulates in a Texas Zoo(1998-06-01) Hodges, Connie M.; Bidaut-Russell, Michelle; Licciardone, John C.; Murnane, ThomasTuberculosis infection among ungulates with Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) in a Texas zoo resulted in epidemiological assessment and testing of 161ungulates because of concerns about the validity of tuberculosis infection in the zoo. Three intradermal tests and one serological test were used to assess M.bovis infection : 1)the comparative cervical tuberculin test (CCT) consisting of biologically balanced bovine purified protein derivative (PPD) and avian PPD; 2) the single cervical bovine PPD tuberculin (BPDD); 3) the Tuberculin-Mammalian (MOT) intradermal tuberculin; and 4) the serological blood tuberculosis test (BTB). All four tests were evaluated. Validity (i.e. sensitivity and specificity), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were measured. The MOT followed by the BPPD were the most sensitive tests, correctly identifying 100% and 67%, respectively of tuberculosis infected/exposed ungulates. The BTB test was the third order of recommendation followed by the combined CCT and BTB (CCT+BTB) tests, where a positive result in either test denoted a positive response. The CCT test ranked last, as this test had the lowest sensitivity and would have allowed tuberculosis infection to remain in the zoo.Item Evaluation of Unlabeled Primers for Sex Determination of Animal and Wildlife Samples(2006-07-01) Price, Glynis Nicola; John Planz; Arthur Eisenberg; Joseph WarrenSpecies identification is not only important in determining the origins of remains found in human forensic cases, but is also important in the growing field of nonhuman forensics. Animal forensics is an emerging discipline in the non-human forensics field. Animal forensics focuses on domestic animals, or animals that live in close contact with humans. These animals include dogs, cats, cattle, pigs, horses, sheep as well as others. Objective 1: Sensitivity - Forensic samples are often low copy number so there may be little viable or non-degraded DNA to work with. The PCR reaction needs to be optimized to determine how little DNA you can start with and still obtain accurate results. The given protocol from DNA Solutions, Inc. (Appendix A) [ 17] suggests 20ng of input DNA. In practice, this level is rarely found in forensic cases, so this assay will begin at 5ng of 9 input DNA. The dilution series will be 5ng, 2ng, 1 ng, 500pg, 250pg, 125pg, 62.5pg, 31.25pg and 15.63pg. Objective 2:PCR cycle number- As a part of sensitivity, PCR cycle number is an important part of optimizing the reaction. Since agarose gels are being run to visualize results, increased cycle number can result in increased specificity. Cycle numbers being evaluated are 26 cycles [ 17], 28 cycles, 30 cycles, 32 cycles and 34 cycles. Objective 3: Species Specificity - It must be determined if these universal primers do, in fact, bind to all species that possess the genes of interest. Samples from across the different animal classes will be evaluated to determine the specificity of the primers. The primers have already been tested on members of the deer family, with success, so a male deer sample has been sent to be used as a positive control as it shows both genes. Species of interest are mammals, birds and fish as there are many of each that are endangered and identifying the sex of the animal is an important step to identifying the individual animal.Item Functional Heterogeneity in Canine Coronary Resistance Arteries(1994-06-01) Parker, James Bruce; Peter B. Raven; Patricia A. Gwirtz; James CaffreyParker, James B., Functional Heterogeneity in Canine Coronary Resistance Arteries. Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedical Sciences), June, 1994, 89 pages, 21 illustrations, bibliography, 82 titles. Two thirds of the coronary vascular resistance resides in the smallest arteries and investigators have hypothesized that they may respond differently to endogenous vasoactive substances. The arterial responses to norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and adenosine were evaluated in large ([greater than] 700 μm, n=24), intermediate (400 600 μm, n=24), and small arteries (μm, n=24). Maximal vessel lumen diameter (Dmax) was determined in CA++ free medium. A reference diameter (84 ± 4.3% of Dmax) was established by re-equilibration in medium containing 2.0 mM Ca++. Arterial maximal responses as a percentage of Dmax to norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and adenosine are given in table 1: Table 1; Large % of Dmax; Inter. % of Dmax; Small % of Dmax; Norepinephrine; 41 ± 2.3; 50 ± 4.2; 83 ± 2.4; Acetylcholine; 96 ± 2.7; 88 ± 3.9; 78 ± 1.9; Adenosine; 71 ± 1.8; 81 ± 4.2; 96 ± 1.4. The sensitivity of canine coronary arteries to norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and adenosine in terms of ED50’s are given in table 2: Table 2; Agonists; Large ED50 μM; Inter. ED50 μM; Small ED50 μM; Norepinephrine; 0.037 ± 0.002; 0.078 ± 0.004; no response; acetylcholine; 0.028 ± 0.003; 0.087 ± 0.005; 0.309 ± 0.03; Adenosine; 0.295 ± 0.002; 0.095 ± 0.004; 0.035 ± 0.03. These data indicate that canine arterial responses to the native agonists norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and adenosine are heterogeneous and that neural control predominates in the larger “transport” arteries while local control predominates in the smaller “distributive” arteries. Responses of small and intermediate isolated canine coronary arteries (lumen diameter 147±42μm, and 531±37μm respectively) to norepinephrine were evaluated after pharmacological or mechanical interruption of endothelial relaxing activity. Following with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N-Nitro-L-Arginine Methylester (L-NAME) 10^-5 M the small and intermediate vessels spontaneously constricted to 73±4.1% of Dmax indicating a significant basal release of nitric oxide. After L-NAME or endothelial disruption graded additions of norepinephrine now reduced the vessel diameter in previously unresponsive small arteries. These data suggest that the weak and equivocal response of coronary resistance arteries to norepinephrine results from the competitive dilatory influence of endothelial derived nitric oxide production and not to the absence of norepinephrine receptors.Item Heredity In Relation to Evolution and Animal Breeding(D. Appleton and Company, 1911-01-01) Castle, WilliamItem Mechanistic Studies of the Sheep Liver 6-Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase and cDNA Cloning(1996-07-01) Price, Nancy E.; Neeraj Agarwal; Robert Easom; Stephen R. GrantPrice, Nancy E., Mechanistic Studies of the Sheep Liver 6-Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase and cDNA Cloning. Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedical Sciences), July, 1996, 124 pp., 5 tables, 28 Figures, 2 appendices, bibliography, 45 titles. A kinetic characterization of sheep liver 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase including product and dead-end inhibition patterns, primary deuterium isotope effects, and the pH dependence of kinetic parameters has been completed in order to determine the kinetic mechanism, and chemical mechanism of the enzyme. A rapid equilibrium random kinetic mechanism has been proposed, with product and dead-end inhibition patterns both being symmetric. Primary deuterium isotope effects were equal on V and V/K, confirming a rapid equilibrium mechanism, and indicate that hydride transfer is at least partially rate limiting in the overall reaction. The maximum velocity is pH dependent, decreasing at low and high pH with slopes of 1 and -1, respectively. The V/KNADP and V/K6PG also decrease at low and high pH with slopes of 1 and -1. The pH rate profiles are consistent with a general acid/general base mechanism where the catalytic residues are involved in binding. Reverse protonation states between the general acid and the general base is proposed where an unprotonated general base accepts a proton from the C-3 hydroxyl of 6PG concomitant with hydride transfer followed by decarboxylation of the resulting 3-keto intermediate to give an enediol which is protonated by the general acid to form ribulose-5-phosphate. The pH dependence of the pKi profile of the inhibitory analog 5-phosphoribonate decreases at low and high pH with slopes of 1, and -1 respectively, and suggests that intrinsic pKs are observed in the V/K profiles. The pKs of both the general base and general acid in the E:6PG complex appears to be perturbed such that the general base pK decreases slightly, and the pK of the general acid increases slightly, as a result of direct interaction with 6PG. Additionally, in preparation for site-directed mutagenesis, cDNA clones for sheep liver 6PHDH were obtained by RT-PCR.Item Regulation of Myocardial Blood Flow and Function During Exercise in Dogs(1995-06-01) Kim, Song-Jung; Patricia A. Gwirtz; Peter B. Raven; James L. CaffreyIntroduction. Background. Coronary circulation during exercise. Coronary blood flow is regulated primarily by local metabolic mechanisms according to the oxygen and nutrient needs of the heart (2, 4, 19). The local “metabolic signal” involves vasoactive metabolites, such as adenosine, released from myocytes in direct proportion to myocardial work (Figure 1). However, other external factors are superimposed on local regulatory mechanisms and can substantially modulate coronary blood flow. One of these modulatory factors is the sympathetic nervous system. Sympathetic vasoconstriction mediated by α-adrenergic receptors in the coronary circulation has been shown to oppose metabolic vasodilation and limit oxygen supply to the myocardium during physiologic and pathophysiological cardiac stresses, such as exercise and myocardial hypoperfusion (1, 6, 7, 8, 10-14, 17, 18, 21). This limitation on myocardial oxygenation appears to impose a restriction on the increase in regional left ventricular subendocardial contractile function during submaximal exercise (7). In this regard, studies have shown that removing this α1-constrictor tone leads to an increase in coronary blood flow and, as a result, regional contractile function (8). This adrenergic coronary constriction during exercise is mediated by neutrally released norepinephrine, not by circulating catecholamines (8). Endothelial-mediated control of coronary vascular tone. Recent investigations indicate that another factor involved in modulating coronary blood flow is the vascular endothelium. The endothelium exerts an influence on vascular smooth muscle vasomotor tone by releasing an endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) or nitric oxide (NO), which is derived from the amino acid L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (5, 22). Synthesized NO diffuses into the underlying vascular smooth muscle to activate cytosolic guanylate cyclase (GC), thereby stimulating the intracellular accumulation of cyclic GMP (cGMP). This is illustrated in Figure 2. NO is released by the stimulation of muscarinic receptors on endothelial cells by acetylcholine, as well as by other agonists or physical stimuli (e.g., shear stress) at the interface between blood and endothelial cell surface (15). During exercise, for example, the work output of the normal heart may increase several-fold by the stimulation of sympathetic nerves to heart. The increased work output of the heart increases myocardial oxygen demand. Consequently, the coronary circulation undergoes vasodilation due to local metabolic mechanisms. The elevation in shear stress caused by increases in coronary blood flow triggers release of NO from the endothelium because of the extremely pulsatile nature of the flow. Therefore, it is likely that during exercise, release of NO by shear stress and by neurohormonal stimuli, concomitant with local release of metabolites, contributes to coronary dilation. These vasodilatory influences counteract a sympathetic α-adrenergic coronary constriction, which limits the increase in coronary blood flow and cardiac performance. Accordingly, coronary vascular smooth muscle tone during exercise is modulated by the endothelium, which responds to the increased shear stress and adrenergic stimulation, which provides the major extrinsic input.Item Role of Adenosine in Acute Hibernation of Guinea-Pig Myocardium(1995-08-01) Gao, Zhi-Ping; H. Fred Downey; James L. Caffrey; Patricia A. GwirtzGao, Zhi-Ping, Role of Adenosine in Acute Hibernation of Guinea-Pig Myocardium Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedical Sciences), August, 1995; 111 pp; 3 tables; 15 figures, bibliography, 158 titles. Myocardial hibernation is a state of depressed contractile function and energy demand during chronic ischemia. When coronary flow is restored, depressed contractile function can partially or completely recover to the pre-ischemic level, and ischemic injury of the myocardium in not evident. This project tested the hypothesis that endogenous adenosine mediates hibernation in guinea-pig myocardium. Isolated working guinea-pig hearts, perfused with glucose fortified Krebs-Henseleit buffer, were subjected to global low-flow ischemia. Left ventricular performance and cytosolic energy level were assessed. Lactate and purine nucleotides were measured in venous effluent. Heart were perfused with [U-14C]glucose to investigate the role of adenosine on glucose metabolism in myocardium. Left ventricular function in untreated hearts decreased by 80% and remained stable during ischemia, and completely recovered upon reperfusion. Neither adenosine receptor blockade with 8-p-sulfophenyl theophylline (8-SPT; 20 μM) nor ecto 5’-nucleotidase inhibitor αβ-methylene adenosine 5’-diphosphonate (AOPCP; 50μM) affected left ventricular function either ischemia or during reperfusion. Cytosolic energy level fell by 67% at 10 min ischemia in untreated hearts, but subsequently recovered to the pre-ischemic level despite continued ischemia. Adenosine receptor blockade increased cytosolic energy level at 10 min ischemia relative to untreated hearts, but blunted the subsequent rebound of phosphorylation potential. Moreover, 8-SPT doubled ischemic lactate release. Adenosine receptor blockade also increased glucose uptake during pre-ischemia and hypoperfusion, but did not stimulate glucose oxidation. Crossover plots of glycolytic intermediates revealed that phosphofructokinase, a key rate-controlling step in glycolysis, was activated by adenosine receptor blockade in both pre-ischemic and hibernating myocardium. We conclude that 1) activation of adenosine receptors results in recovery of cytosolic energy level of moderately ischemic working myocardium, but this energetic recover is not solely responsible for post-ischemic contractile recovery; 2) endogenous adenosine attenuates anaerobic glycolysis during myocardial hibernation by blunting phosphofructokinase activity.Item Scientific Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, Simplified Solutions of Certain Mendelian Problems in which factors have inseparable effects(The Royal Dublin Society; Williams and Norgate, 1915-04-01) Wilson, JamesItem Scientific Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society; AN EXAMPLE OF THE MULTIPLE COUPLINGOF MENDELIAN FACTORS .(The Royal Dublin Society; Williams and Norgate, 1913-03-01) Wilson, JamesItem Scientific Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society; Inter-Alternative as Opposed to Coupled Mendelian Factors: A Solution of the Agouti-Black Colour in Rabbits(The Royal Dublin Society; Williams and Norgate, 1915-01-01) Wilson, JamesItem Scientific Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society; THE INHERITANCE OF COAT COLOUR IN HORSES.(The Royal Dublin Society; Williams and Norgate, 1910-04-01) Wilson, JamesItem Sexually Dimorphic Anxiety-Like Interoceptive Discriminative Stimuli(1997-12-01) Jung, Marianna E.; Walls, Cleatus; Downey, H. Fred; Forster, MichaelJung, Marianna E., Sexually Dimorphic Anxiety-Like Interoceptive Discriminative Stimuli. Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedical Sciences), December 1997, 150 pp, introduction, 2 chapters, discussion, bibliography, 109 titles. This study compared gender differences in the anxiogenic stimuli induced by either a GABA-A antagonist, pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) or by a 5-HT1b/2 agonist, m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) before and during ethanol withdrawal (EW). Rats were trained to discriminate either PTZ (16mg/kg, IP) or m-CPP (1.2 mg/kg, IP) from saline in a two lever choice task for food reward. Male and female rats were gonadectomized or sham-operated, and ovariectomized (OVX) female rats were tested during replacement treatment with 17β estradiol (2.5 mg, 21 day release, sc). The dose-response for the discrimination of the interoceptive stimulus (IDS) produced by PTZ (0-16 mg/kg) or m-CPP (0 to 1.2 mg/kg) was measured under all hormonal conditions. For m-CPP trained rats, latency to first lever-press response was also tested. Results: sham and estradiol-replaced female rats had higher ED50s for discrimination of the PTZ or m-CPP IDS than intact males or OVX rats. There is a dose-related impairment of operant responding after mCPP injection. Sham and estradiol replaced OVX rats showed an increased delay to the initiation of response after m-CPP injection as compared to sham or castrated male rats or OVX rats that showed no effect at the doses tested. Rats then received a chronic ethanol diet (6.5%) for 10 days. At twelve hours of ethanol withdrawl, they were tested for lever selection after saline injection. Fewer sham female and estradiol-replaced female rats responded on the drug lever during acute EW as compared to sham male, castrated or OVX rats. In general, the anxiogenic drug lever selection of OVX rats resembled that of male rats but was restored toward that of sham female rats by estradiol replacement. Castration did not alter the response of male rats to either PTZ or mCPP. Serum β –estradiol concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay for sham, OVX, and estradiol-replaced female rats. The concentration was significantly higher in hormone-replaced female rats than in OVX. The estradiol concentration in sham female rats showed a cyclic pattern over 4 consecutive days, but this pattern did not correlate with any difference in IDS. Blood ethanol concentration (BEC) was determined using head space gas chromatography. BEC was higher in intact female rats than in intact male rats after ethanol injection (2 g/kg, ip), but did not differ during EW. Conclusions: females produce less anxiogenic IDS in response to either GABA inhibition or 5-HT1b/2 activation, but are more impaired by m-CPP in their ability to initiate operant responses than male rats. In addition, fewer intact females developed a spontaneous IDS during EW than males which is not the result of lower BEC. Estrogen appears to play a trophic role in altering responsiveness to anxiogenic stimuli.Item T-Helper Cell Responses in Lungs After Immunization and Chronic Respiratory Disease; And Their Association With Pulmonary Inflammation(2001-05-01) Jones, Harlan P.; Simecka, Jerry; Dimitrijevich, S. Dan; Goldfarb, Ronald H.The purpose of these studies was to characterize T helper cell responses in the lungs of mice after immunization and chronic respiratory infection. CD4+ T cells were the major population of T cells resident in the lung in comparison to CD8+ T cells. Polyclonal activation of resident CD4+T cells produced abundant levels of IL-4 in comparison to IFN-γ, indicating that Th2 cells were the major sub-population of CD4+ T cells. In contrast, resident CD8+ T cells were the sole producer of IFN-γ by naïve T lymphocytes. Furthermore, the distribution of T cells was similar between BALB/c, C3H/HeN, C57BL/6 and DBA/2N strains of mice. However differences in the distribution of CD8+T cells, as well as the levels of IL-4 and IFN-y production produced by resident T cells were found between C57 and the other strains of mice tested. These results demonstrate that host genetic factors may be involved in determining host susceptibility to respiratory disease. Differences in the intensity of antigenic stimulation provoke changes in the type of T cell response generated. Intranasal immunization with influenza (FLU) vaccine antigen alone initiated solely an antigen-specific Th2-like response. In contrast, the addition of the potent mucosal adjuvant cholera toxin (CT) in combination with FLU antigen induced not only resident Th2 responses, but also induced antigen-specific Th1-like responses. This change corresponded with a dramatic increase in the number of CD4+ T cells in the lung. Thus, intense immunization of respiratory T cells enhanced resident T helper cell responses, but also promoted the activation of Th1 responses. Chronic respiratory infection also elicited changes in the resident population of T cells consistent with pulmonary inflammatory immune responses. At early stages of infection, CD4+, but not CD8+ T cells increased in number within inductive respiratory lymphoid tissues (lower respiratory nodes [LRNs]). Between day 7 and 14 however, there was a dramatic increase in the number of CD4+ T cells in the lung. Interestingly, CD8+ T cells also increased in the lungs, suggesting their activation along mucosal sites during mycoplasma infection. Mycoplasma-specific IL-4 and IFN-γ production also increased in a tissue-specific/time-dependent manner. IL-4 production was initially observed in the LRNs, whereas significant levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ was produced in both tissues 14 days after infection. In comparison, IFN-γ was the predominate cytokine, produce at 14 days coinciding with pulmonary inflammation. Suggesting that intense activation promoted changes in the resident pulmonary Th2 environment, and possible is a major component of pulmonary inflammatory immune responses. Both CD4+ and CD8= T cells were shown to have a role in modulation of disease severity during mycoplasma disease. Observation of gross pulmonary lesions reveal that mycoplasma infected mice treated with anti-CD8 antibody showed increase clinical signs of disease and pronounced gross pulmonary lesions. Additionally the number of total mononuclear cells increased dramatically in the absence of CD8+ T cells. Thus, CD8+ T cells may have a regulatory role in controlling resident CD4+ T cells that increased 14 days after infection. Chemokine production is known to mediate the recruitment of lymphocytes to enhance the initiation of immunity as well as be responsible for modulating inflammatory responses. We find that mycoplasma increase the number of dendritic cells in the lung 14 days after infection, and stimulated the production of dendritic cell-derived ABCD-1 chemokine. Also, β-chemokine MIP-1α and MIB-1β production was observed during intense immunization as well as during mycoplasma infection. These results provide evidence for a potential mechanism through which changes in resident pulmonary T cell responses occur given the intensity of the immune response generated.Item The Effects of Elevated Glucose Upon Na+/K+-ATPase in Bovine Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells(1994-12-01) Crider, Julie Y.; Thomas Yorio; John Lane; Edward OrrCrider, Julie Y., The Effects of Elevated Glucose Upon Na+/K+-ATPase in Bovine Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells. Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacology), December, 1994, 154 pp., 14 tables, 31 illustrations, bibliography, 288 titles. Bovine retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells were cultured under 1, 4.5 and 10 g/l glucose conditions in order to characterize the effects of hyperglycemia upon Na+/K+-ATPase. Functional activity of Na+/K+-ATPase was measured as ouabain-sensitive Rb+ uptake. 3H ouabain was used to assess binding characteristics of Na+/K+-ATPase. The major contributors to rubidium (mRb+) uptake activity were the ouabain-sensitive Na+/K+-ATpase and a bumetanide-sensitive NA+/K+/Cl- cotransporter. Dose response curves for ouabain and bumetanide produced IC50 values for 86Rb+ uptake of 60-100 nM and 120 nM, respectively. At elevated glucose concentrations, the aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) AL-1576 stimulated 86Rb+ uptake upon chronic treatment. A sensitive new nonradioactive Rb+ uptake assay was developed which utilized suppressed conductivity detection and provided several advantages over the radioactive method. The average ouabain IC50 value was confirmed to be 100nM and was not significantly affected by elevated glucose concentrations. The bumetanide sensitive component was responsible for approximately 30% of Rb+ uptake at all glucose concentrations. Potassium efflux out of the cells was observed that was sensitive to the Na+/K+/Cl- cotransport inhibitor bumetanide. Elevated glucose appeared to increase Rb+ transport through potassium channels was also reduced Rb+ uptake indicating a decrease in Na+/K+-ATPase activity. Bovine RPE cells exposed to both high glucose and AL-1576 for one month showed mild stimulation of Rb+ uptake compared to the activity in high glucose alone. Ouabain and strophanthidin inhibition of 3H ouabain binding, in bovine RPE cells, appeared to be unaffected by hyperglycemia. The average IC50 values for these compounds were 5.02 x 10^-8 M, respectively. The results of this study indicate that Na+/K+-ATPase activity in bovine RPE is decreased by hyperglycemic state, and can be stimulated by treatment with an aldose reductase inhibitor administered from the onset of the hyperglycemic insult.