Solution-processed ambipolar organic field-effect transistors and inverters.

There is ample evidence that organic field-effect transistors have reached a stage where they can be industrialized, analogous to standard metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors. Monocrystalline silicon technology is largely based on complementary MOS (CMOS) structures that use both n-type and p-type transistor channels. This complementary technology has enabled the construction of digital circuits, which operate with a high robustness, low power dissipation and a good noise margin. For the design of efficient organic integrated circuits, there is an urgent need for complementary technology, where both n-type and p-type transistor operation is realized in a single layer, while maintaining the attractiveness of easy solution processing. We demonstrate, by using solution-processed field-effect transistors, that hole transport and electron transport are both generic properties of organic semiconductors. This ambipolar transport is observed in polymers based on interpenetrating networks as well as in narrow bandgap organic semiconductors. We combine the organic ambipolar transistors into functional CMOS-like inverters.

Effect of intrarenal renin inhibition on renal hemodynamics and excretory function.

This study was designed to investigate in sodium-depleted monkeys the renal hemodynamic and excretory effects resulting from blockade of the renin-angiotensin system induced by intrarenal infusion of the primate-selective renin inhibitor A-65317. Intrarenal infusion of A-65317 (n = 6) at a dose of 0.01 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 elicited an increase (P less than 0.05) in renal blood flow (RBF) from 43.5 +/- 2.7 to 49.4 +/- 4.4 ml/min and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from 6.3 +/- 0.3 to 6.9 +/- 0.4 ml/min, with no significant changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) or plasma renin activity (PRA). Increases (P less than 0.05) in the urine flow rate (0.18 +/- 0.04 to 0.28 +/- 0.04 ml/min) and the fractional excretion of sodium (0.18 +/- 0.06 to 0.35 +/- 0.13%) were also observed. After a recovery period, the intrarenal infusion dose of A-65317 was increased to 0.1 microgram.kg-1.min-1 and RBF increased (P less than 0.05) from 42.9 +/- 3.9 to 53.0 +/- 3.7 ml/min in conjunction with a significant 85 +/- 4% inhibition of PRA and a 14 +/- 4 mmHg reduction in MAP. GFR and electrolyte excretion remained at control levels. Intrarenal infusion of vehicle (n = 6) had no significant effect on any of the variables studied. In a separate group of monkeys, intravenous (iv) infusion of A-65317 at 0.01 microgram.kg-1.min-1 (n = 5) did not result in significant changes from control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Renal hemodynamic and excretory responses to renin inhibition induced by A-64662.

Experiments were conducted in sodium-depleted anesthetized monkeys to determine the effects of the primate-selective renin inhibitor A-64662 on renal function. Five groups of monkeys were examined with each group receiving an i.v. infusion of vehicle or A-64662 at doses (bolus plus continuous infusion) of 0.1 + 0.01, 1.0 + 0.1, 10 + 1.0 or 100 micrograms/kg + 10 micrograms/kg/min (n = 6/dose). Plasma renin activity was inhibited (P less than .05) at all infusion doses ranging from 33 +/- 8% at the lowest dose to 95 +/- 3% at the highest dose. Inhibition of plasma renin activity was accompanied by renal vasodilation as renal blood flow (RBF) increased (P less than .05) in a dose-dependent manner beginning at the dose of 1.0 microgram/kg + 0.1 micrograms/kg/min. RBF increased 36 +/- 7% at the highest dose of A-64662 examined. Associated with the increments in RBF, renal vascular resistance progressively decreased (P less than .05) by 12 +/- 3, 31 +/- 3 and 40 +/- 6%, respectively, with increasing doses of A-64662. Glomerular filtration rate was unchanged at all doses of A-64662. As a result, a significant (P less than .05) fall in the filtration fraction was observed as the dose of A-64662 increased. Mean arterial pressure was unaffected by the two lowest doses of A-64662, but decreased (P less than 0.05) by 13 +/- 1 and 18 +/- 4 mm Hg, respectively, at the two highest doses of A-64662 infusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of chronic infusion of renin inhibitor A-64662 in sodium-depleted monkeys.

The potent and primate-selective renin inhibitor A-64662 (n = 8) or vehicle (n = 6) was administered intravenously for 7 days to sodium-depleted cynomolgus monkeys to investigate the chronic effects on arterial pressure, sodium excretion, and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. A 0.1-mg/kg i.v. bolus followed by a continuous 0.01-mg/kg/min infusion of A-64662 lowered mean arterial pressure from 89 +/- 3 (average of 4 control days) to 75 +/- 4 mm Hg (p less than 0.05) after 1 day of administration. This decrement was associated with marked inhibition of plasma renin activity (PRA) from 57.7 +/- 11.1 to 1.3 +/- 0.6 ng angiotensin I (Ang I)/ml/hr (p less than 0.05). Similar hypotensive levels (range 73 +/- 4 to 77 +/- 4 mm Hg) were observed on days 2-7 of A-64662 infusion and PRA remained suppressed, ranging from 0.6 +/- 0.4 to 1.9 +/- 1.0 ng Ang I/ml/hr. Plasma angiotensin II (Ang II) levels were reduced (p less than 0.05) from the control value of 66.7 +/- 20.2 to 12.4 +/- 3.3 and 26.4 +/- 6.5 pg/ml on the second and seventh days, respectively, of A-64662 infusion. In contrast, infusion of vehicle alone had no discernible effect on mean arterial pressure, PRA, or plasma Ang II concentrations. Plasma aldosterone decreased (p less than 0.05) from control on the second and third days of A-64662 infusion, although differences between the treatment groups were not detected throughout the study. Urinary sodium excretion remained at control levels throughout the infusion of A-64662. Cessation of A-64662 administration resulted in a recovery of mean arterial pressure to preinfusion levels within 1 day. This study indicates that continuous infusion of A-64662 results in a sustained hypotension in sodium-depleted monkeys. This effect appears to be related, at least partially, to inhibition of PRA and lower plasma Ang II levels.

Effects of the renin inhibitor A-64662 in monkeys and rats with varying baseline plasma renin activity.

The efficacy of the potent, primate selective renin inhibitor A-64662 was studied in monkeys and rats with varying baseline plasma renin activity (PRA) to elucidate the relationship between PRA and the hypotensive response induced by this compound. The effect of a single bolus of vehicle or A-64662 at 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 mg/kg i.v. was compared in 30 normal and 30 salt-depleted, anesthetized monkeys (n = 5/dose). Baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP) was similar among all groups, but baseline PRA was elevated in salt-depleted monkeys. A-64662 induced a comparable dose-related fall in MAP, affecting the magnitude and duration of action, accompanied by inhibition of PRA, the duration of which was dose-related in both the normal and salt-depleted groups. However, the minimum effective doses required to reduce MAP by approximately 10% were 0.01 mg/kg for the salt-depleted monkeys and 0.1 mg/kg for the normal monkeys. In a second study, three consecutive boluses of vehicle or A-64662 at 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 mg/kg were administered to anephric monkeys, human renin-infused anephric monkeys, and normal monkeys (n = 4/group). A dose of 0.1 mg/kg was ineffective, but the 1.0 mg/kg dose lowered MAP by 11 +/- 3% (mean +/- SE) in the anephric monkeys. The infusion of renin into anephric monkeys restored the efficacy of A-64662 at the 0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg doses to responses comparable to those of the normal monkeys. A-64662 at 10.0 mg/kg caused a similar fall in MAP of 50 to 60% in anephric, renin-infused anephric, and normal monkeys in the absence of detectable PRA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Removal of the anticoagulant activities of the low molecular weight heparin fractions and fragments with flavobacterial heparinase.

Recently, the development of low molecular weight heparin fractions and fragments (LMHF) as potential antithrombotic agents has gained increased attention. However, the lack of antagonists to neutralize the anticoagulant effects of these drugs may seriously exclude them from possible uses in extracorporeal therapy. This is mainly because of the concern that the high dosage of the drugs employed in extracorporeal therapy could lead to serious bleeding risks. Our earlier work has demonstrated that immobilized heparinase can remove polydisperse heparin both in vitro and in vivo. To examine whether such a system may be used as a novel approach to neutralize the anticoagulant effects of LMHF, different LMHF were tested using heparinase. In vitro data showed that both the APTT and anti-FXa activities of the LMHF including Kabi 2165, PK 10169, Cy 216 and CY 222 were nearly completely eliminated by heparinase in less than 20 min. This study suggests that an immobilized heparinase system may be an useful element for the acceptance of the LMHF for their use in extracorporeal therapy.