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Biomedical subjects

B A Gray

Publications and source records attributed to B A Gray.

66 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Studies on local immunity to sperm-dissolving of cervical mucus by use of bromelin with retention of antibody activity.

The complete dissolving of human cervical mucus was achieved with bromelin. The adequacy and the mildness of this procedure were studied by making both solutions and simple extracts of a number of mucus samples. Both types of preparation were tested for sperm antibody by our methods of agglutination and immobilization. The comparisons showed a high degree of concurrence between these two types, with the bromelin solutions showing positive results more often than the extracts. Other control tests showed that addition of bromelin did not perturb the antibody testing of positive and negative sera. We concluded that addition of bromelin, in a 1/3 volume, gives a quick, thorough and undamaged solution of cervical mucus, on which sperm antibody tests can be done with ease and reliability.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1979

Alterations in lung volume and pulmonary function in relation to hemodynamic changes in acute myocardial infarction.

To characterize the changes in lung volumes after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and the relationship of these changes to other alterations in lung function which correlate with the severity of pulmonary vascular congestion, we made measurements of pulmonary hemodynamics, lung volume, closing volume, frequency dependence of total pulmonary resistance to forced oscillation, and arterial PO2 in 18 subjects with AMI. The most consistent finding was reduced lung volume which correlated with the severity of pulmonary diastolic hypertension. Frequency dependence of resistance showed a small but significant correlation with pulmonary hemodynamics. Closing volume measurements by the resident gas method in nine subjects was not related to hemodynamics. Follow-up studies at the time of hospital discharge revealed a significant return toward normal for arterial PO2, all lung volumes, and total pulmonary resistance at 9 Hz. Based on measurements in healthy subjects, the reduced lung volume after AMI may explain the changes in resistance. In acute and follow-up studies the degree of lung volume reduction and the severity of hypoxemia were strongly correlated.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1978

Effect of pulmonary vascular engorgement on respiratory mechanics in the dog.

The immediate effects of pulmonary vascular engorgement (PVE) on lung and chest wall mechanics were studied in anesthetized, paralyzed dogs with the chest wall intact. A balloon-tipped catheter advanced retrograde into the left atrium was used to produce partial mitral valve obstruction and increases in pulmonary artery and left atrial preassures equal to 15 and 20 cm H2O, respectively. This increased pulmonary blood volume (PBV) by 50% and reduced dynamic lung ocmplicance 14%. With the airway occluded at different lung volumes, transient PVE produced a 6% decrease in compliance on the deflation limb of the pressure volume curve of the lung and a shift in the chest wall pressure-volume curve, which was consistent with an increase in chest wall volume equal to the increase in PBV. During apnea with the airway open, PVE reduced lung gas volume and increased chest wall recoil. We conclude that the changes in chest wall recoil associated with PVE are the result of an increase in total lung displacement volume.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Physiologic effects of bronchopulmonary lavage in alveolar proteinosis.

The clinical and physiologic effects of bronchopulmonary lavage of both lungs at separate times in 14 patients with alveolar proteinosis proved by biopsy were followed for 2 to 96 months. Before lavage, all patients had moderate to severe dyspnea on exertion. Twelve had a nonproductive cough, and 2 had a productive cough; both were smokers. Nine had generalized fatigue, and 4 had weight loss. Twelve of 14 had fine inspiratory rales. All of the patients had abnormal chest roentgenograms, and 13 of 14 had an increased lactate dehydrogenase concentration. After lavage, all patients had loss of fatigue and improved exercise tolerance, with most returning to normal activity. Cough cleared in 12 of 14 and remained only in the cigarette smokers. Inspiratory rales cleared completely in most patients (11 of 12) and partially in one. The rales usually returned during exacerbations. Physiologic measurements that changed significantly after bilateral lavage included: vital capacity, total lung capacity, resting room air PO2, exercise PO2, PO2 while breathing 100 per cent O2, and DLCO. Because all measurements were made within 5 days of the second lavage, one must attribute the acute improvement to the removal of proteinaceous material from the alveoli. The long-term effects varied; some patients required annual or semiannual lavages, wherease others remained in remission after lavage for 36 to 96 months. Exacerbations were accompanied by increased dyspnea, reappearance of rales, and deterioration of the gas-exchange parameters noted previously. Repeat lavage reversed the clinical symptoms and physiologic abnormalities in patients who had recurrences.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Cytochemical localization of catalase and peroxidase in sinusoidal cells of rat liver.

The cytochemical localization of catalase and peroxidase in various sinusoidal cells of rat liver, i.e., in Kupffer cells, endothelial cells, and fat-storing cells has been investigated. The alkaline 3,3'-diaminobenzidine technique reveals distinct "catalase-positive particles" in all three cell types. The particles are round to oval-shaped, measuring 0.1 to 0.3 mum. in diameter. The diaminobenzidine reaction product is distributed uniformly over their matrix, often obscuring the distinct limiting membrane. In fat-storing cells the particles appear in close proximity of lipid droplets. No evidence of fusion of the limiting membrane of the particles with that of phagolysosomes containing latex particles was observed. The "catalase-positive particles" appeared often in close proximity of endoplasmic reticulum, but by examining consecutive serial sections we could not find any convincing evidence of direct continuity between the two organelles. In addition to catalase there is an endogenous peroxidase in the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope of Kupffer cells. Whereas peroxidase is sensitive to aldehyde fixation and has its optimal pH in the neutral range, the staining for catalase requires prior fixation with glutaraldehyde and isoptimal at pH 10.5. By using proper fixation and incubation conditions the two enzymes have been visualized selectively, and it is demonstrated that they occupy two distinct intracellular compartments within the Kupffer cells: the catalase in the matrix of particles and the peroxidase in the endoplasmic reticulum. The possible functional role of catalase in various sinusoidal cells is briefly discussed.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1967

Light and heavy chain components of gamma globulins in urines of normal persons and patients with agammaglobulinemia.

A heavy chain component of gammaG-globulins in normal urines has the characteristics of the proteolytic digestion product, Fc-fragment. This fragment is estimated to compose up to 15% of the gamma globulins present in urines. In contrast to urinary light chains, the urinary Fc-like fragment probably represents a catabolic component in normal gammaG-globulin metabolism. The light chains of the urine constitute more than half the total gamma globulin present. The calculated kappa/lambda ratio of light chains averaged 1.9 in ten urines, but the ratio in individual urines varied widely to either side of this figure. In two adult patients with agammaglobulinemia whose sera contained less than one-hundredth the normal gamma globulin levels, the urinary Fc-like fragment was absent, whereas the light chain levels were only one-tenth the average normal level. Treatment with exogenous gamma globulins resulted in normal or near normal Fc-like fragment excretion, whereas light chain excretion was only modestly affected.

Adult↗