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Biomedical subjects

A Katz

Publications and source records attributed to A Katz.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

Hyperglycemia induces accumulation of glucose in human skeletal muscle.

The effect of hyperglycemia on whole body substrate utilization and the metabolic profile of skeletal muscle has been investigated. Eight glucose-tolerant men were infused with somatostatin (S) for 190 min. During the last 120 min of S infusion, glucose was infused to achieve a steady-state plasma level of 26 mmol/l. Biopsies were obtained from the quadriceps femoris muscle immediately before and 35 and 120 min after induction of hyperglycemia. Steady-state glucose disposal during hyperglycemia averaged (+/- SE) 33.8 +/- 3.2 mumol.kg fat-free mass-1.min-1, and approximately 70% of the glucose disposal was accounted for by skeletal muscle. Intracellular glucose increased from 0.9 +/- 0.2 mmol/kg dry wt during S to 9.5 +/- 2.5 during hyperglycemia (P less than 0.01). It was estimated that approximately 35% of the glucose taken up by muscle during 120 min of hyperglycemia was not phosphorylated. Muscle contents of alpha-D-glucose 1,6-diphosphate, D-glucose 6-phosphate, ATP, ADP, and AMP (both of which are based on the phosphocreatine-to-creatine ratio), which have been shown to inhibit hexokinase in vitro, did not change significantly during hyperglycemia, nor were there any significant changes in any of the other postphosphofructokinase intermediates, D-fructose 2,6-diphosphate, and citrate. Hyperglycemia did not alter the fractional activities of glycogen synthase or phosphorylase, nor total phosphorylase activity. However, hyperglycemia resulted in a 55% increase in glycogen synthase-specific activity (P less than 0.01). It is concluded that hyperglycemia results in a marked increase in muscle glucose.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Clinical and electrographic effects of acute anticonvulsant withdrawal in epileptic patients.

We retrospectively investigated the effects of acute antiepileptic drug (AED) withdrawal on seizure symptomatology--including frequency, clinical features, and electrical onset--by studying 35 patients during evaluation for epilepsy surgery. The highest risk for both partial and secondary generalized seizures occurred during absent or subtherapeutic, and not during rapidly falling, AED levels. AED withdrawal had minimal effect on clinical symptomatology or electrographic onset.

Acute Disease↗

Differential expression of basement membrane collagen in membranous nephropathy.

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is characterized by subepithelial immune complex formation and progressive thickening of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). Kidney tissues from 21 patients stratified according to morphology (stage I: 5 patients; stage II: 5 patients, stage III: 11 patients) were studied by immunohistochemical techniques using antibody probes to matrix components of recently described (novel) chains of type IV collagen [alpha 3(IV)NC, alpha 4(IV)NC, Alport antigen] and of traditional type IV collagen [alpha 1(IV)NC, alpha 2(IV)NC, 7S(IV), triple helix]; as well as laminin B2, nidogen and fibronectin. In Stage I, there were no detectable changes when compared with normal tissue. In Stage II and early Stage III, the subepithelial projections of GBM (spikes) and the thickened GBM consisted predominantly of the novel type IV collagen chains as well as laminin B2 and nidogen, with no detectable changes in traditional type IV collagen. In late Stage III, an increase in the latter was observed in the subendothelial region of the thickened GBM with narrowing of the capillary lumen. At this stage, there was close apposition of novel and traditional type IV collagen molecules. The expression of these two groups of molecules is spatially and temporally distinct during the evolution of MN. It is hypothesized that immune complex formation in the subepithelial region of the GBM leads to increased formation of the novel type IV collagen network by visceral epithelial cells resulting in the formation of spikes and thickening of GBM between and surrounding immune deposits. These changes precede and are distinct from detectable alterations in traditional type IV collagen. With progression and time, the deposits become embedded in the novel collagen network and increased subendothelial formation of traditional type IV collagen molecules occurs with narrowing of the capillary lumen.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Functional organization of human supplementary motor cortex studied by electrical stimulation.

The presence of somatotopic organization in the human supplementary motor area (SMA) remains a controversial issue. In this study, subdural electrode grids were placed on the medial surface of the cerebral hemispheres in 13 patients with intractable epilepsy undergoing evaluation for surgical treatment. Electrical stimulation mapping with currents below the threshold of afterdischarges showed somatotopic organization of supplementary motor cortex with the lower extremities represented posteriorly, head and face most anteriorly, and the upper extremities between these two regions. Electrical stimulation often elicited synergistic and complex movements involving more than one joint. In transitional areas between neighboring somatotopic representations, stimulation evoked combined movements involving the body parts represented in these adjacent regions. Anterior to the supplementary motor representation of the face, vocalization and speech arrest or slowing of speech were evoked. Various sensations were elicited by electrical stimulation of SMA. In some cases a preliminary sensation of "urge" to perform a movement or anticipation that a movement was about to occur were evoked. Most responses were contralateral to the stimulated hemisphere. Ipsilateral and bilateral responses were elicited almost exclusively from the right (nondominant) hemisphere. These data suggest the presence of combined somatotopic organization and left-right specialization in human supplementary motor cortex.

Adolescent↗

Expression of interleukin 6 and its specific receptor by untreated and PMA-stimulated human erythroid and megakaryocytic cell lines.

Different human hematopoietic cell lines were analyzed for the presence of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-6 receptor (IL-6-R). Both IL-6 mRNA and secreted active IL-6 protein were detectable in untreated cell lines with erythroid or megakaryoblastic features (K562, HEL, KU 812, MEG-01, and Dami), but they were not expressed constitutively in other leukemic cell lines (KG1, HL60, and U937). IL-6-R production, studied by the presence of its mRNA and specific binding sites for iodinated recombinant IL-6, was detected in most cell lines except K562, HEL, and Dami. Therefore, only KU 812 and MEG-01 coexpress both IL-6 and IL-6-R. After phorbol ester myristate acetate (PMA) treatment, all the cell lines studied expressed or overexpressed IL-6. In the erythroid K562 cell line, IL-6-R was not detectable before induction, but was promptly expressed after stimulation with PMA, suggesting that some of the new features of K562 cells induced by PMA may be mediated by IL-6. However, neutralizing antibodies against IL-6 did not block either the growth arrest or the loss of the erythroid phenotype induced by PMA. The presence of IL-6 and IL-6-R in erythroid and megakaryocytic leukemic cell lines suggests that their synthesis may occur during normal hematopoietic differentiation.

Antibodies↗

Developmental changes in human megakaryocyte ploidy.

Megakaryocytes (MK) obtained from the differentiation of MK colony-forming units (CFU-MK) were grown from fetal liver, cord blood, and adult marrow in liquid culture containing aplastic plasma. Ploidy distribution was studied by a double-staining technique and flow cytometry and MK maturation by ultrastructural techniques. Cultured MK from fetuses and neonates were small sized (about 10 microns) in comparison to adult MK. They were mature cells that contained large membrane complexes as previously found in vivo. Only 2N and 4N MK were usually present in 8- to 10-week-old fetus cultures; 8N MK were detected at 20 weeks of gestation and in neonates. Higher ploidy classes were present in culture from adults but with a much lower frequency than in marrow. Therefore, a progressive shift to higher ploidy and an increase in MK size were observed simultaneously during development. Interleukin 3 (IL-3) increased MK proliferation as in adults but abrogated MK ploidization of 20-week-old fetus culture. The present results suggest that the changes occurring during ontogenesis are related to intrinsic MK modifications because no inhibitor of MK ploidization could be detected in fetal cultures.

Aging↗

Medical illustration education in the United States and Thailand: a comparison.

Considering varying social factors and health care needs, this article gives a comparative view of medical illustration education in the United States and Thailand. Different requirements exist within the application processes (such as the number and type of portfolio pieces required), and within the professional programs (such as the choice of specialization available in American schools). This article also discusses attitudes toward plagiarism and teaching methods for the development of creativity. The differences in Thai instruction stem from Thai culture, the economic situation, the emphasis on educational media, and the decision-making authorities who set standards for the programs.

Cross-Cultural Comparison↗

The demography of primary biliary cirrhosis in Ontario, Canada.

The demographics of primary biliary cirrhosis in Ontario, Canada, are described. Two hundred and twenty-five primary biliary cirrhosis patients were identified by 85 of 502 gastroenterologists (or internists) practicing in Ontario acute care hospitals that have 150 or more beds. Two hundred and six patients were verified as being antimitochondrial antibody-positive, resulting in an incidence of 3.26 per million per year and a prevalence of 22.39 per million. Questionnaire data were obtained on 88.5% of these patients. Twenty-nine percent of the patients were found to be asymptomatic. Geographical clustering and racial predisposition were not seen. No increase in breast cancer prevalence was noted. By the time the diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis was established, the patients had consulted a median number of 3.5 physicians. Fatigue was reported as the most disabling symptom. The diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis in patients referred from across the province of Ontario was independently confirmed by us, using standard criteria (antimitochondrial antibody testing and liver biopsy), and was found to be reliable.

Autoantibodies↗

Effect of epidermal growth factor on rat pleural mesothelial cell growth.

We recently reported that the growth of normal rat pleural mesothelial cells (RPMCs) is inhibited by conditioned media from either in vivo or in vitro transformed RPMCs. In this study we report that the growth of normal RPMCs is inhibited by epidermal growth factor (EGF). This was demonstrated by using three methods of investigation. Two types of studies were carried out with growing cells. First, cell counts indicated that the number of cells was reduced in EGF-treated cultures when compared with untreated cultures. Second, the percentage of S cells detected by flow cytometry following treatment with EGF was lower than without EGF. In other experiments, incorporation of tritiated thymidine in confluent cells was decreased by EGF treatment, either in the presence or absence of fetal calf serum; these effects were dose dependent and were observed from 2 ng/ml EGF. Lower EGF concentrations did not significantly modify thymidine incorporation when compared with untreated cells. Analysis of 125I EGF binding experiments by the Scatchard method indicated that RPMCs posses EGF receptors (about 10(5) per cell) with low ligand binding affinity (Kd = 1.7 +/- 0.4 nM). These results indicate that EGF might modulate the growth of RPMCs.

Animals↗

Primary yolk sac (endodermal sinus) tumor of the prostate: case report and review of the literature.

A primary yolk sac (endodermal sinus) tumor of the prostate is described in a 40-year-old male. This is the second documented case of a yolk sac tumor occurring in the prostate gland. Treatment included surgical removal and subsequent combination chemotherapy. Four months following diagnosis, the patient died of complications. At autopsy, no residual tumor was detected. The role of combination chemotherapy as potentially curative therapy in the treatment of extragonadal yolk sac tumors is discussed.

Adult↗

Regulation of human megakaryocytopoiesis: analysis of proliferation, ploidy and maturation in liquid cultures.

A liquid culture technique associated with either double staining and flow cytometry or electron microscopy was used to study human megakaryocytopoiesis. During development from the embryo to the adult, a progressive increase in ploidy classes associated with an enhancement of megakaryocyte (meg) size was observed. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor had no effects on adult marrow cultures. In contrast, interleukin (IL) 3 induced a marked proliferation, but was unable to promote polyploidization. Furthermore, it abrogated the effects on endomitosis of aplastic plasma (AP). This negative effect on polyploidization of IL-3 could be partially dissociated from its effects on proliferation by a delayed addition in culture. AP acted on both proliferation and endoreplication, which was not due to the main hematopoietic growth factors, including IL-6. A synthesis of IL-6 was detected by in situ hybridization in cultured cells including megs which also express receptors for IL-6. These results suggest that terminal meg differentiation may be regulated by an autocrine IL-6 loop, and that megakaryocytopoiesis may be independently regulated at early and late stages of differentiation.

Autoradiography↗

Natural history of impacted subcapital femoral fractures and its relevance to treatment options.

A study of 123 patients with impacted, subcapital femoral fractures was undertaken to determine the natural history of this injury. It was found that the angle of the fracture, the degree of valgus and the degree of retroversion were without significant effect on the incidence of subsequent disimpaction. Age was important, with a 20 per cent incidence of disimpaction in patients over the age of 68 years. In patients younger than this the incidence was only 2 per cent. These results indicate that conservative treatment may be appropriate for some younger patients, but the advantages of this approach must be compared with the medical, social and economic benefits of early mobilization that the relatively simple operative procedure permits.

Age Factors↗

Insulin-mediated increase in glucose 1,6-bisphosphate is attenuated in skeletal muscle of insulin-resistant man.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of insulin infusion on the glucose 1,6-bisphosphate (glucose 1,6-P2) content in skeletal muscle of insulin resistant man. Euglycemic (approximately 100 mg/dL) hyperinsulinemic clamps were performed on seven men with chronically elevated fasting plasma glycemia (228 +/- 13 mg/dL, mean +/- SE) who were insulin resistant (HIR) and five men with normal fasting glycemia (115 +/- 5 mg/dL) who were insulin resistant (NIR). Insulin was infused at successive rates of 40 and 400 mU/m2/min, and biopsies were obtained from the quadriceps femoris muscle before and after insulin infusion. The results were compared with those of normoglycemic insulin-sensitive (NIS) men. The insulin-resistant groups had significantly higher percent body fat values than did the NIS group. Glucose 1,6-P2 increased from 70 +/- 6, 49 +/- 9, and 67 +/- 3 mumols/kg dry weight in the basal state to 135 +/- 12 (P less than .001 v basal), 67 +/- 11 (P greater than .05) and 79 +/- 3 (P greater than .05) after 40 mU insulin in NIS, HIR, and NIR, respectively. Glucose 1,6-P2 increased to 147 +/- 12 (P less than .001 v basal), 91 +/- 15 (P less than .01) and 99 +/- 13 (P less than .05) mumols/kg dry weight after 400 mU insulin in NIS, HIR, and NIR, respectively. The increase in glucose 1,6-P2 in response to 40 mU insulin was only 28% and 18% in HIR and NIR, respectively, of that in NIS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Densitometric measurement of radiopacity of Gutta-percha cones and root dentin.

National and international standards require that gutta-percha cones be sufficiently radiopaque to be distinguished from natural structures such as dentin and to permit evaluation of the density of the root canal filling. Discs, 1-mm thick, made from 15 commercial and experimental brands of gutta-percha cones, were tested for their compliance with the requirements. The radiopacity of 1-mm thick root dentin slabs was similarly measured with a photo-densitometer. All radiographs were made on D-speed occlusal film and replicated on E-speed film. The mean radiopacity of the gutta-percha discs on D-speed film was 7.26 mm of aluminum equivalent and 7.53 mm on E-speed film, greatly exceeding the minimal requirement of 3 mm. The difference in the values obtained with the two film types was not significant, suggesting that E-speed films may be used for the test. Dentin slabs were uniform in their radiopacity, equivalent to 1 mm of aluminum, confirming previous findings. In view of complaints of insufficient clinical performance, the present minimal requirement for radiopacity of gutta-percha cones seems too low.

Densitometry↗

Arriving at the surgical options for intractable seizures.

Surgery is 80 to 90% effective in properly selected patients with uncontrolled epilepsy. The localization of the epileptic focus determines the applicable operation. Resective procedures are preferred because they offer the possibility of cure. However, in certain circumstances corpus callosum section can be used for palliation because it offers relief of generalized seizures and falls in a substantial proportion of individuals with uncontrolled secondarily generalized seizures who are not candidates for resection. Substantial progress in patient evaluation and protocols for surgical treatment has been made in the past decade.

Adolescent↗