Dynamic analysis of the three-phasic vascular response to histamine in coronary circulation

In this work we tried to perform a dynamic analysis of coronary vascular response to histamine, using a simple mathematical analysis as a first step in the better understanding of complex histamine effects on coronary blood vessels of the isolated guinea pig heart. So, we defined more parameters, such as: I and delta I to quantify the intensity of coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) change, T and dt to quantify the time CPP change occurs and D to characterize the intensity and duration of CPP change, i.e. to quantify the dynamics of this change.     

Characterization of organ-specific immunoliposomes for delivery of 3',5'-O-dipalmitoyl-5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine in a mouse lung-metastasis model

A previous study has shown that lipophilic prodrugs can be delivered efficiently to normal lung endothelium by incorporation into liposomes covalently conjugated to monoclonal antibody (mAb) 34A against the lung endothelial anticoagulant protein thrombomodulin. In the present study, the potential use of these lung-targeted immunoliposomes (34A-liposomes) for delivery of a lipophilic prodrug, 3',5'-O-dipalmitoyl-5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (dpFUdR), to the tumor-bearing lung was examined using BALB/c mice bearing experimental lung metastasis induced by i.v. injection of EMT-6 mouse mammary tumor cells. Immunohistochemical examination of the tumor-bearing lung showed specificity of mAb 34A to lung endothelium. Tumor cells appeared to localize just outside of the normal blood vessels and were within a small diffusion distance from the mAb 34A-binding sites. 111In-labeled 34A-liposomes containing monosialoganglioside (GM1) were prepared that included [3H]-dpFUdR at 3.0 mol% in the lipid mixture. In vitro cell binding studies further demonstrated that 34A-liposomes bound specifically to normal mouse lung cells that expressed thrombomodulin but not to EMT-6 cells. Biodistribution study showed efficient and immunospecific accumulation of [3H]-dpFUdR incorporated into 34A-liposomes in the lung at a level parallel with that of 111In-labeled 34A-liposomes, indicating that the drug is delivered to the target organ in intact liposomes. Liposomal dpFUdR appeared to be metabolized in the lung to the parent drug FUdR at a rate slower than in the liver and spleen. Furthermore, treatment of lung-metastasis-bearing mice with dpFUdR incorporated into 34A-liposomes on days 1 and 3 after tumor cell injection resulted in a significant increase in the median survival time of treated mice as compared with control mice (%T/C value, 165%). dpFUdR either dispersed in emulsion or incorporated into antibody-free liposomes was ineffective in prolonging the survival of mice. These results indicate the potential effectiveness of organ-specific immunoliposomes containing a lipophilic prodrug for the targeted therapy of metastatic tumors.     

Spectral and polarization selective fiber-optic elements

A pair of coupled step-index waveguides is analyzed. Characteristic equations are obtained and used to evaluate the cutoff frequencies and coupling constants. Mode transformation at tapers is analyzed. The spectral properties of fused couplers and tapered filters for which cutoff frequencies of higher modes were observed are studied. A fiber polarization splitter is realized. A semiconductor laser with an external dispersive cavity based on the spectral selective coupler is designed     

The -514 polymorphism in the hepatic lipase gene (LIPC) does not influence androgen-mediated stimulation of hepatic lipase activity

The -514T allele of hepatic lipase is associated with increased high density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels in men, but not in women. This observation suggests that the -514C to T polymorphism may diminish the response of hepatic lipase to androgens. To test this hypothesis, five -514T and five -514C homozygous men were treated with the anabolic steroid stanozolol for 6 days. The mean increase in hepatic lipase activity was similar in the two groups (45+/-10 vs. 51+/-10 mmol x hr(-1) x l(-1), P = 0.5). To evaluate the association between the -514 polymorphism and hepatic lipase activity at different physiological androgen concentrations, hepatic lipase genotypes and activities were measured in 44 men and 40 premenopausal women. The effect of the -514T allele on hepatic lipase activity was significant and quantitatively similar in both sexes. These data indicate that the -514 polymorphism does not influence the response of hepatic lipase activity to androgens, and that the effects of this polymorphism on hepatic lipase activity are independent of androgen action.