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Call number: LD2668 .T4 1985 C92 / Master of Science

The purpose of this investigation is to study the effects of methylxanthines, catecholamines, and cyclic nucleotides on melanin synthesisand conidiation using the technique of phase contrast microscopy. Verticillium wild type (T9) strain was grown in both sucrose nitrate liquid medium and polygalacturonic acid media (SNLM and PGAM). These media allowed rapid production of conidia and synchronous development of microsclerotia respectively. Even though caffeine has a greater effect on conidiation, both caffeine and theophylline promoted melanization. Dibutyl cyclic AMP to lesser extent inhibited conidiation, while cyclic AMP had little to no effect on conidiation. Dibutyl cyclic AMP inhibited melanin production. Cyclic AMP had a stimulatory effect on melanin production. Isoproterenol a stimulant of adenylate cyclase activity, inhibited conidiation the first two days, but had no apparent effect after day 3. Isoproterenol also induced melanin production in the flask. Propranolol, an antagonist of hormonally induced adenylate cyclase activity, did not repress conidiation when compared to the drug-free SNLM. Melanin was not formed in either SNLM and PGAM, suggesting that the effect of propranolol was opposite that of isoproterenol. Propranolol, a beta blocking agent, reversed the isoproterenol induced inhibition of conidiation. This reversal indicates that there is a receptor which isoproterenol attached itself to - the binding beta receptor site. The isoproterenol effect on conidiation and melanin synthesis indicates that, there might be cyclic AMP involvement in development, since this agent affects cyclic AMP level. Since melanin is known to be associated with microsclerotia, it is possible that cyclic AMP might be involved in this development. In this study, the effects of methylxanthines, catecholamines and cyclic nucleotides on melanin synthesis and conidiation was determined. There is every possibility that cyclic AMP might be involved in the regulation of conidiation process and melanin synthesis.

Introduction: An increased gluteofemoral adipose tissue (AT) mass is associated with a protective cardiovascular and metabolic risk profile, and effective fatty acid retention in femoral AT has been proposed as a possible mechanism. Catecholamines are important regulators of AT lipolysis and blood flow (ATBF). The aim of the thesis was to investigate regional differences in the adrenergic regulation of fatty acid release and ATBF between abdominal and femoral AT in vivo. Furthermore, in vivo regional fatty acid trafficking was studied in a physiological setting over 24 h. Methods: Regional fatty acid trafficking, along with the measurement of ATBF, was studied with the arterio-venous difference technique and stable isotope tracers in healthy volunteers. Adrenergic agonists (isoprenaline, adrenaline) were infused either locally by microinfusion, or systemically. Local microinfusion of adrenoreceptor antagonists (propranolol, phentolamine) was used to characterize specific adrenoreceptor subtype effects. The trafficking of dietary fatty acids was studied over a 24 h period involving three meals containing stable isotope-labelled fatty acids along with intravenous infusions of another labelled fatty acid. Results: Femoral ATBF and lipolysis was less responsive to adrenergic stimulation with adrenaline compared to abdominal AT. This was due to increased femoral α-adrenoreceptor responsiveness. When studied over 24 h, femoral AT showed a lower lipolysis rate compared to abdominal AT, while dietary fatty acids were extracted more avidly by abdominal AT. Uptake of non-dietary fatty acids (derived from very-low-density lipoproteins or unbound non-esterified fatty acids) was comparable between abdominal and femoral AT. Conclusion: There are fundamental differences in response to adrenergic stimuli between abdominal and gluteofemoral tissues and the ability of femoral AT to trap non-dietary fatty acids may provide protection of other tissues from ectopic fatty acid deposition.

Encontramos no bulbo diversos núcleos, assim como diversos neurotransmissores, relacionados com a manutenção da pressão arterial. Dentre os núcleos, o núcleo do trato solitário se destaca por ser um dos principais moduladores do sistema nervoso autônomo, sendo o primeiro a receber aferências dos barorreceptores e encaminhá-los para diversos outros núcleos. Dentre estes neurotransmissores, encontramos o glutamato e as catecolaminas, sendo ambos essenciais para a manutenção da pressão arterial. É sabido que a atuação de transmissores em células do sistema nervoso pode levar a alterações em outras vias de neurotransmissão, alterando assim a resposta das células a estímulos. Levando em consideração a importância do glutamato e das catecolaminas na modulação da pressão arterial, e que tanto os receptores glutamatérgicos quanto catecolaminérgicos podem interferir no metabolismo celular e gerar mudanças estruturais nos neurônios, cogitamos que a atuação do sistema glutamatérgico poderia modular o sistema catecolaminérgico. Neste trabalho, avaliamos se o sistema glutamatérgico e catecolaminérgico podem interagir em culturas de células do bulbo de ratos neonatos, a partir de tratamentos das culturas com glutamato ou noradrenalina. Observamos que o tratamento destas culturas com glutamato leva a uma redução nos níveis de proteína e de mRNA da enzima tirosina hidroxilase e do receptor _2 adrenérgico. A modulação do sistema glutamatérgico a partir de tratamentos com noradrenalina não mostrou variações significativas. Concluímos que o sistema glutamatérgico pode modular o sistema catecolaminérgico em células do bulbo de ratos neonatos, e que esta modulação pode ser importante na regulação da pressão arterial pelos núcleos bulbares. / It is found in the medulla oblongata several nuclei, as well as several neurotransmitters, related with the maintenance of the arterial pressure. Among these nuclei, the nucleus of the solitary tract stands aside for being one of the main modulators of the autonomic nervous system, being the first to receive afferences from baroreceptors and to send their stimuli to other nuclei. Among these neurotransmitters, glutamate and the catecholamines are both essentials to the maintenance of the arterial pressure. It is known that the stimulation of brain cells by neurotransmitters can result in changes in other neurotransmitter pathways, changing the cell response to certain stimuli. Taking in consideration the importance of glutamate and the catecholamines in the modulation of the arterial pressure, and that both of them can interfere in the cellular metabolism and create structural changes in neurons, we have speculated that the stimulation of the glutamatergic system could modulate the catecholaminergic system. In this work, it was evaluated if the glutamatergic and catecholaminergic systems could interact in cell cultures of the medulla oblongata of newborn rats, from treatments of the cultures with glutamate or noradrenaline. It was found that the treatment of these cultures with glutamate leads to a reduction in the protein and mRNA levels of the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase and the receptor _2 adrenergic. The modulation of the glutamatergic system from treatments with noradrenaline did not show significative variation. We concluded that the glutamatergic system can modulate the catecholaminergic system in medulla oblongata cell cultures, and that this modulation can be important in the regulation of the arterial pressure by nuclei present in the medulla oblongata.

A administração de catecolaminas por via intravenosa é uma prática comum no ambiente hospitalar, principalmente em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI), Hemodiálise e Pronto Socorro (PS). Apesar de se tratar de um procedimento que demanda cuidados de enfermagem bastante específicos, este pode ser realizado por qualquer membro da equipe de enfermagem, até mesmo sem supervisão direta de um enfermeiro. Para prestar cuidados de enfermagem adequados aos pacientes que recebem catecolaminas por via intravenosa é necessário que o profissional que realiza o procedimento disponha de conhecimento específico acerca da prática realizada. Em unidades como UTI, PS e Hemodiálise, espera-se que o enfermeiro exerça supervisão direta desses cuidados, já que são unidades em que os pacientes apresentam condições mais críticas e geralmente instáveis. Desta forma, é esperado que o enfermeiro detenha todo o conhecimento necessário para administrar as catecolaminas com segurança, minimizando assim os riscos para o paciente. Estes conhecimentos devem ser aprofundados englobando desde ciências básicas como anatomia e fisiologia, até aspectos mais específicos como a escolha do cateter, recomendações de uso dos materiais disponíveis, conhecimentos farmacológicos direcionados e recomendações e cuidados durante a infusão desse tipo de medicamento. Este estudo avaliou o grau de conhecimento dos enfermeiros do Hospital Universitário (HU) da Universidade de São Paulo (USP) quanto à administração de catecolaminas de infusão contínua por via intravenosa. Foram sujeitos deste estudo somente os enfermeiros que atuam em unidades onde a administração de catecolaminas é prática comum. A pesquisa limitou-se aos enfermeiros que atuam em unidades de cuidados de adultos por considerar que há peculiaridades existentes no cuidado do paciente adulto e pediátrico no que diz respeito à administração de drogas vasoativas e à necessidade de atualização e vivência prática da situação. Assim, através de questionário estruturado, procedeu-se a avaliação do conhecimento dos enfermeiros atuantes nas unidades de Hemodiálise, PS de adultos e UTI de adultos com relação à administração de catecolaminas por via intravenosa. Os dados obtidos com a aplicação dos questionários foram submetidos a análises estatísticas para definir se o conhecimento apresentado pelos enfermeiros avaliados é condizente com o preconizado pela literatura para realização segura de tal procedimento / Catecholamine management through intravenous route is a common practice in the hospital setting, mainly at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Hemodialysis and Emergency Room (ER). Although it\'s a procedure that demands very specific nursing care, this can be made by any member of the nursing staff, even without direct supervision of a nurse. For delivering optimal nursing care to patients who receive catecholamine through intravenous route, it\'s necessary the provider who makes the procedure to have specific knowledge on this practice. In settings like ICU, ER and Hemodialysis, the nurse is expected to have direct supervision in these procedures, once they are units where patients present more critical and generally unstable conditions. This way, the nurse is supposed to have all the knowledge necessary to manage catecholamine safely, thus minimizing the risks for the patient. This knowledge must be deepen involving from basic sciences such as anatomy and physiology, to more specific aspects, such as the catheter chosen, recommendations for use of available material, specified pharmacological knowledge and recommendations and care during infusion of this type of medication. This study evaluated the knowledge level of nurses from University Hospital (HU) of University of Sao Paulo (USP) regarding to catecholamine management of continuous infusion through intravenous route. Subjects of the study were only the nurses who work in setting where catecholamine management is a common practice. The research limited to nurses who work in adult care, considering that there are peculiarities in adult and pediatric care related to vasoactive medication management and the need of upgrade and practical experience of the situation. Thus, through a structured questionnaire, it was made an evaluation of knowledge of nurses who work in Hemodialysis units, adult ER and adult ICU regarding to catecholamine management through intravenous route. The data obtained through the questionnaires were submitted to statistic analyses to define if the knowledge presented by the evaluated nurses is according to what is advised by literature to make safely such procedure

Graduation date: 1994

Previous research attests to the relationship between social support and positive health outcomes while linking social isolation or aggression/hostility with negative health outcomes. Several studies examining atherosclerosis with either genetic or behavioral origins, have reported decreased disease severity in socially supportive environments. In order to identify and understand the mechanism responsible for decreased disease, the current study examined physiological differences in New Zealand White rabbits within unstable, stable, and isolated social environments and observed whether functional hormonal changes were apparent over time and as a response to behavior characteristic of these environments. Results indicated that animals within the unstable condition displayed increased agonistic behavior, increased cortisol and epinephrine, decreased body weight, epididymal fat, and retroperitoneal fat, as well as larger spleens. Cortisol values positively correlated with measures of agonistic behavior for all animals, while the reverse relationship was found for affiliative behavior. The novel finding of an increase in oxytocin in animals in the unstable condition within the first ten minutes of pairing that was noticeably distinct from the other two groups suggests that plasma oxytocin levels are related to acute stress. Limitations and interpretations of these findings are discussed. Future work is still needed to help further explain the physiological response to social stress and affiliation and to elucidate the mechanism by which a supportive social environment appears to protect against progression and severity of heart disease.

Tennis elbow (TE) is a relatively common painful condition affecting the upper extremity. The aetiology is not known, but TE is most often seen in middle aged individuals using repetitive and forceful gripping at work or recreational activities, and is referred to overuse injuries. The pathogenesis is not known, but there are so-called degenerative changes in the wrist- and finger-extensor muscle origin (common extensor origin - CEO). The pain mechanisms involved have not been scientifically clarified. The studies in the present thesis aimed to 1) evaluate the structure and blood flow using ultrasound (US) and colour Doppler (CD) examinations of the CEO in patients with TE, and in pain-free elbows, 2) evaluate the clinical effects of US- and CD-guided intratendinous injection treatment with the sclerosing substance polidocanol, 3) evaluate the long term (2 years) effects of injection treatment on the tendon structure and blood flow, and 4) investigate if there is a local production of sympathetic and parasympathetic signal substances in non-neural cells in the CEO. Structural tendon changes and high blood flow was found in the CEO in patients with TE, but not in pain-free controls. Remaining structural changes and additional bone spur formation at the lateral epicondyle, but not high blood flow, were seen 2 years after successful injection treatment. In a randomised double-blind study, US- and CD-guided intratendinous injection treatment with sclerosing polidocanol or the local anaesthetic lidocaine combined with epinephrine, targeting the region with high blood flow, was found to reduce pain and increase grip strength in patients with TE. There were no differences in the outcome between the two treatment groups. A local production of catecholamines, but not acetylcholine, was found in fibroblasts in the CEO, in patients with TE. This thesis presents results showing US and CD examinations to be useful methods to diagnose TE, and to evaluate structure and blood flow in the CEO after treatment. US- and CD-guided injection treatment targeting high blood flow in the region with structural changes can reduce pain symptoms in patients with TE. The localised high blood flow, and local production of catecholamines in the tendon cells in the CEO, might be involved in the pain mechanisms.

The design and construction of an electrochemical detector with two working electrodes located on the opposite walls of a thin-layer cell and its use as a detector for High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) in the analysis of catecholamines in human cerebrospinal fluid are described. The location of the electrodes in this manner permits an electrochemically reversible or quasireversible couple to be electrolized more than once as it passes through the detector. If one electrode is held at a potential where oxidation takes place and the second electrode at a potential where reduction of this oxidized form back to the starting material occurs, then the current produced increases proportionately to the number of conversions that take place. A comparison of this cell in the dual-working-electrode and single-working-electrode mode shows an improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio by a factor of six. This HPLC system with electrochemical detection has been used for the first time to detect norephinephrine (141 pg/mL) and dopamine (262 pg/mL) in human cerebrospinal fluid.