Characterization of angiotensin II-receptor subtypes in podocytes

Glomerular podocytes play a key role in maintaining the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier. This function may be regulated by angiotensin II (Ang II) through activation of cell-surface receptors. Although studies suggest that podocytes express receptors for Ang II, the Ang II binding site has not been characterized with radioligand binding techniques. We therefore used iodine 125-labeled Ang II to monitor Ang II-receptor density during differentiation of a mouse podocyte cell line. Scatchard analyses of equilibrium binding data revealed a single class of high-affinity binding sites (dissociation constant approximately 3 nmol/L) in both differentiated and nondifferentiated cells. During differentiation, the density of Ang II-receptor sites increased roughly 15-fold in differentiated podocytes (maximal density of specific binding sites 881 fmol/mg protein) compared with that in nondifferentiated cells (52 fmol/mg protein; P<.005). Glomerular podocytes expressed messenger RNA for AT1A, AT1B, and AT2 receptor subtypes, and competitive binding studies found that differentiated podocytes expressed mostly AT1 receptors (approximately 75%) with lesser amounts of AT2 (approximately 25%). Up-regulation of Ang II-receptor number was associated with increased Ang II-receptor responsiveness, as evidenced by enhanced Ang II-stimulated inositol phosphate (IP) generation and incorporation of tritiated thymidine. Both [3H]thymidine incorporation and IP generation were mediated by AT1-receptor activation. These data suggest that glomerular podocytes express a high-affinity binding site for Ang II with pharmacologic characteristics of both AT1 and AT2 receptors. This receptor site is up-regulated during podocyte differentiation, and receptor activation induces both IP generation and DNA synthesis by AT1-dependent mechanisms. We speculate that activation of podocyte Ang II receptors contributes to glomerular damage in disease states.     

4-(4-烷氧基苯基)-3-乙基-1H-1,2,4-三唑-5(4H)-酮类化合物的合成及其抗惊厥活性

目的设计合成一系列4-(4-烷氧基苯基)-3-乙基-1H-1,2,4-三唑-5(4H)-酮类化合物,并评价其抗惊厥活性和神经毒性。方法以对乙酰氨基酚为起始原料,经烷基化、水解、环合等反应合成1,2,4-三唑-5(4H)-酮类化合物。通过最大电惊厥实验(MES)和神经毒性实验(NT),分别测定目标化合物的抗惊厥活性和神经毒性。结果与结论合成了20个新化合物,其结构经IR、1H-NMR和ESI-MS确证。药理学实验结果表明,所有化合物在不同剂量下都显示出抗惊厥活性。其中,3-乙基-4-(4-戊氧基苯基)-1H-1,2,4-三唑-5(4H)-酮(4e)的活性最强,其半数有效量ED50值为26.9 mg·kg-1,保护指数(PI)为11.0,虽然该化合物的活性低于阳性对照药卡马西平,但其保护指数优于卡马西平(PI=6.4);3-乙基-4-(4-(3-氟苄氧基)苯基)-1H-1,2,4-三唑-5(4H)-酮(4n)的ED50值为61.1 mg·kg-1,但其PI大于17.0,明显优于卡马西平,具有进一步研究的价值。     

Submaximal field testing validity for aerobic fitness assessment in recreational football

Submaximal field tests are especially recommended when repeated testing is warranted. This study aimed at assessing the validity of the submaximal versions of the Yo-Yo intermittent tests in male recreational football players in untrained and trained status. The participants’ (n = 66; age 39.3 ± 5.8 years, VO_2max 41.2 ± 6.2 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹, body mass 81.9 ± 10.8 kg, height 173.2 ± 6.4 cm) heart rate after 2 minutes (HR_2min) during the level 1 (YYIE1_HR2min) and 2 (YYIE2_HR2min) versions of the Yo-Yo intermittent endurance test and the level 1 version of the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (YYIR1_HR2min) was plotted against individual VO_2max values. Thirty-two participants performed all the tests after a 12-week recreational football intervention for test responsiveness. Associations between VO_2max and YYIE1_HR2min were large to small (P = .0001). Large to trivial associations were found between YYIE2_HR2min, YYIR1_HR2min, and VO_2max (P < .01). Maximal Yo-Yo performances were large, significant, and inversely related to HR_2min (−0.68 to −0.49, P < .0001). Pre- to post-intervention ICC values were good for YYIE1_HR2min and YYIE2_HR2min, and excellent for YYIR1_HR2min. Post-intervention associations between HR_2min and Yo-Yo maximal performances were large to very large (−0.55 to −0.72; P < .002, n = 32). Training-induced changes in VO_2max moderately correlated with YYIR1_HR2min (−0.48; P = .007; n = 32). HR_2min lower than 89%, 98%, and 91% HR_max for YYIE1_HR2min, YYIE2_HR2min, and YYIR1_HR2min, respectively, may be considered as signs of good to excellent VO_2max levels. Since in the YYIE1_HR2min, the participants attained 84% HR_max and test specificity increased for HR_2min values <89%, this test may be the preferred choice when repeated assessment of aerobic fitness, using submaximal intermittent Yo-Yo tests, is considered in recreational football.     

A Reappraisal of Exercise Electrocardiographic Indexes of the Severity of Ischemic Heart Disease: Angiographic and Scintigraphic Correlates

Objectives. We explored how the exercise electrocardiographic (ECG) indexes generally presumed to signify severe ischemic heart disease (IHD) correlate with coronary angiographic and scintigraphic myocardial perfusion findings.

Background. In exercise testing, it is generally assumed that the early onset of ST segment depression and its occurrence at a low rate–pressure product (ischemic threshold); the amount of maximal ST segment depression; and a horizontal or downsloping ST segment and its prolonged recovery after exercise signify more severe IHD. However, the relation of these indexes to coronary angiographic and exercise myocardial perfusion findings in patients with IHD is unclear.

Methods. We prospectively carried out a symptom-limited 12-lead Bruce protocol thallium-201 single-photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) exercise test in 66 consecutive subjects with stable angina, ≥70% stenosis of at least one coronary artery, normal rest ECG and left ventricular wall motion and a prior positive exercise ECG. The above ECG indexes, vessel disease (VD), a VD score and the quantitative thallium-SPECT measures of the extent, maximal deficit and redistribution gradient of the perfusion abnormality were characterized.

Results. Maximal ST segment depression could not differentiate the number of diseased vessels; was not related to VD score, maximal thallium deficit or redistribution gradient; but was related to the extent of perfusion abnormality (r = 0.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.08 to 0.52, p = 0.02). Time of onset of ST segment depression correlated inversely only with VD (r = −0.22, 95% CI −0.44 to −0.05, p < 0.05), whereas the ischemic threshold had low inverse correlation only with VD score (r = −0.25, 95% CI −0.47 to −0.01, p < 0.05) and the redistribution gradient (r = −0.33, 95% CI −0.53 to −0.10, p < 0.01). A horizontal or downsloping compared with an upsloping ST segment did not demonstrate more severe angiographic and scintigraphic disease. Recovery time did not correlate with angiographic and scintigraphic findings, and correlations between angiographic and scintigraphic findings were also low or absent.

Conclusions. In this homogeneous study group, the exercise ECG indexes did not necessarily signify more severe IHD by angiographic and scintigraphic criteria. Lack of concordance between the exercise ECG, angiography and myocardial scintigraphy suggests that these diagnostic modalities examine different facets of myocardial ischemia, underscoring the need for caution in the interpretation of their results.

(J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;29:1497–504)     

水平管中气固两相流的混沌特征分析

对水平管密相气力输送系统的混沌动力学行为进行了分析，对煤粉浓度信号时间序列的最大Lyapunov指数和关联维数进行了计算。结果表明，系统的最大Lyapunov指数均大于零，这充分说明煤粉在水平管中的密相气力输送存在混沌特征。从密相移动床流区到沉积层流区，混沌吸引子由大变小，关联维数从1．5359减小到1．0764。说明从密相移动床流区到沉积层流区，流体系统运动的混沌程度逐渐减弱。     

Effects of WIN 55,212-2 mesylate (a synthetic cannabinoid) on the protective action of clonazepam, ethosuximide, phenobarbital and valproate against pentylenetetrazole-induced clonic seizures in mice

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of WIN 55,212-2 mesylate (WIN — a non-selective cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptor agonist) on the protective action of four classical antiepileptic drugs (AEDs: clonazepam [CZP], ethosuximide [ETS], phenobarbital [PB], and valproate [VPA]) in the mouse pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced clonic seizure model.WIN (15 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly enhanced the anticonvulsant action of ETS, PB and VPA, but not that of CZP against PTZ-induced clonic seizures. The ED₅₀ values of ETS, PB and VPA were reduced from 148.0, 13.9 and 137.1 mg/kg to 104.0, 8.3 and 85.6 mg/kg, respectively (P < 0.05). WIN (5 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) had no impact on the anticonvulsant action of all studied AEDs against PTZ-induced clonic seizures. WIN (15 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly elevated total brain concentrations of ETS and VPA, but not those of CZP and PB in mice. Moreover, WIN combined with CZP, ETS, PB and VPA significantly impaired motor performance, long-term memory and muscular strength in mice subjected to the chimney, passive avoidance and grip-strength tests, respectively.Pharmacodynamic enhancement of the anticonvulsant action of PB by WIN against PTZ-induced clonic seizures is favorable from a preclinical viewpoint. Advantageous effects of WIN in combination with ETS and VPA against PTZ-induced seizures were pharmacokinetic in nature. However, WIN combined with CZP, ETS, PB and VPA impaired motor coordination and long-term memory as well as reduced skeletal muscular strength in the experimental animals.     

Dose‐dependent effect of stored‐blood transfusions on recipient red blood cell indices,deformability and density

We prospectively studied the dose‐dependent effect of transfused stored red blood cells (RBCs) on recipient RBC indices, deformability and cell density in 10 patients administered stored RBCs for blood transfusion during general surgery. There were dose‐dependent decreases in mean corpuscular volume and increases in mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration after completion of 4‐ and 6‐unit stored RBC transfusions. The amount of dense populations increased proportionately with the amount of stored RBCs transfused. The maximal deformability index value was significantly and dose‐dependently decreased, suggesting that hemodynamic blood flow, especially the microcirculation may be impaired in patients who receive large amounts of stored RBCs.