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Biomedical subjects

B Burke

Publications and source records attributed to B Burke.

159 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

A rapid agglutination assay to detect anti-streptokinase antibodies.

BACKGROUND: Streptokinase resistance may cause suboptimal thrombolytic therapy. AIM: To develop a rapid latex-bead assay to detect streptokinase antibodies. METHODS: Sera were obtained from 16 patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (MI) before treatment with streptokinase and 1 and 6 months post treatment, and from 100 controls. Sera were assayed for anti-streptokinase antibodies using a functional streptokinase-neutralising assay. RESULTS: Streptokinase-neutralising activity was low in controls (54 +/- 5U/ml) and patients prior to treatment (101 +/- 18), increasing to 2,110 +/- 823 and 1,017 +/- 169 at 1 and 6 months (mean +/- SEM). The latex assay had a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 93% for detecting individuals with > 350U/ml of streptokinase resistance, which is sufficient to neutralise the drug clinically. CONCLUSIONS: Estimation of streptokinase resistance using an enzyme immunoassay and a latex bead assay correlated well with serum neutralising activity. This assay can rapidly identify patients who have a high level of streptokinase-neutralising activity.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Deep vein thrombosis after lower limb amputation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to prospectively document the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the residual limb after a below-knee amputation. DESIGN: Eight of 13 male patients, admitted to the acute rehabilitation floor after a below-knee amputation, were included in the study. Patients already receiving anticoagulants were excluded. An investigator questioned the patient regarding the patient's risk factors for DVT and history of DVT and pulmonary embolus. A coagulation profile was obtained for all patients. A Doppler ultrasound was completed on the residual limb 2 wk after amputation, and if negative, it was repeated 2 wk later. Patients found to have a DVT were treated appropriately. The incidence of DVT was calculated by a point estimate, and a 95% confidence interval was calculated using simple large sample methods. RESULTS: Four of the eight patients had ultrasound evidence of DVT in the thigh. Two of the four patients had signs or symptoms of a DVT. There were a comparable number of risk factors for DVT in both groups. Laboratory values were not statistically significant in predicting the occurrence of DVT, probably because of the limited number of subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The present study supports the assumption that the diagnosis of lower limb DVT is frequently associated with lower limb amputation. However, a larger sample may be necessary to conclude that a routine screening ultrasound of the lower limbs is indicated after a below-knee amputation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A new hepato-pancreato-renal disorder resembling tyrosinemia involving neuropathy and abnormal metabolism of polyunsaturated acids.

This report describes a new disorder resembling hereditary tyrosinemia (HT) but differing from it in several respects. Similarities include failure to thrive with hypoproteinemia, micronodular cirrhosis, alpha-fetoprotein positive hepatocellular carcinoma, renal Fanconi syndrome with renal tubular ectasia, hypermethioninemia, and hypoglycemia associated with islet cell hyperplasia. However, the tyrosine metabolic pathway was intact. Unique findings include optic atrophy, cerebellar degeneration, and exocrine pancreatic hypoplasia. Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) status was evaluated in the serum and liver. Initial PUFA profile to serum phospholipids revealed grossly elevated linoleic acid and subnormal linolenic acid. All PUFAs derived from these precursors were absent suggesting gross abnormalities in the utilization of these two essential fatty acids for synthesis of longer chain highly unsaturated structural PUFA. Analysis of liver phospholipids indicated that linoleic acid was lower and w3 and monenoic acids were higher than in the liver specimens from two cases of HT. The gross abnormalities in PUFA pattern, although perhaps secondary to another cause, represent serious structural and functional abnormalities of essential membrane lipids and potentially of eicosanoids derived from them.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

CEA, ZGM and EMA localization in cells of pleural and peritoneal effusion: a preliminary study.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), the zinc glycinate marker (ZGM) and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) have been described as epithelial or tumour markers of varying specificity. These antigens were studied by immunoperoxidase localization in selected cell blocks of 62 pleural or peritoneal effusions and compared to cytological findings and review of the clinical records. By cytological criteria, 25 of the cell blocks were positive for malignancy, 30 negative, and 7 inconclusive. CEA, ZGM, and EMA by immunoperoxidase staining were localized on the cell surface and often in the cytoplasm of malignant cells, in 11/25 (44 per cent), 17/25 (68 per cent) and 22/25 (88 per cent) of the positive cell blocks respectively. Ten (40 per cent) of these cases were positive for all three antigens, 7 (28 per cent) for two, and 6 (24 per cent) for one. Of the 7 cases which were inconclusive on routine cytological reporting, 5 were positive for at least one marker. In 3 of the 5 a diagnosis of malignancy was confirmed, and in the other two was strongly suspected as malignant on clinical grounds. Macrophages were sometimes positive for one or more markers (but showed cytoplasmic staining only) and mesothelial cells in some cases stained positively for EMA but were always negative for CEA and ZGM. Localization of the 3 antigens in cells of malignant effusions was compared with their localization in the primary tumours in 9 cases. Localization corresponded for CEA in 7 of 9 cases, for EMA in 8 of 8 an for ZGM in only 2 of 9. Effusion fluid levels for CEA were compared with the cytological and immunocytochemical findings in 30 cases. Mucin stains performed on the cell blocks were also compared with the immunoperoxidase findings.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗