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Biomedical subjects

C Allen

Publications and source records attributed to C Allen.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Effects of cold stress and exercise on fat loss in females.

A Latin Square design has been used to test the responses of 24 relatively fit young women to 200 minute bouts of exercise performed over 5 day trials under each of three different ambient conditions: 15 degrees C (warm-warm; (WW)); -20 degrees C while inhaling, from a facemask, air heated to 18 degrees C (cold-warm; (CW)); and -20 degrees C (cold-cold; (CC)). In both of the cold environments, special clothing and boots were provided (insulation 0.47 degree C X watt-1 X m-2 and 0.62 degree C X watt-1 X m-2; (4 and 3 CLO units)). All three trials led to a small (0.6-0.7 degree C) rise of rectal temperature, but in the two cold environments mean body temperatures fell by over 1.0 degree C. A large increase of serum ketones occurred under all conditions, and the exercise respiratory quotient suggested some increase of fat utilization, WW (0.85) through CW (0.84) to CC (0.83). A fat loss of about 0.5 kg over the five days was confirmed by hydrostatic weighing and measurement of skinfold thicknesses. This was much less than the change previously observed in men, and moreover, it seemed to be independent of ambient conditions. Possible reasons why cold did not increase fat loss in these women include: a lower relative intensity of exercise; a greater stability of fat stores in women; avoidance of caffeine; a possible translocation of subcutaneous fat to deep fat depots; and a greater desire to "lose weight" irrespective of environmental conditions.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1986

Incidence and differences in urban-rural seasonal variation of type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes in Wisconsin.

In a hospital-based records study of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus among persons aged 0 to 29 years in two Wisconsin, USA counties (1970-79), the age-adjusted yearly incidence rate for white males (16.4/100,000) was significantly higher than for white females (11.6/100,000) (p = 0.006). Overall age-adjusted rates are similar to rates previously reported for the United States and the northern European countries of Denmark and Norway. Seasonal variation in diagnosis was found for total cases and males aged 10 to 19 years. A striking difference also was found in seasonal diagnosis between urban and rural cases. A diagnosis peak in the third and fourth quarter among rural cases contrasted with even quarterly distribution among urban cases. In addition, 52% of rural male cases aged 10 to 19 years were diagnosed during the fourth quarter while no seasonal pattern occurred among urban males the same ages. These findings identify subgroups for focus of future etiologic investigations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Breast cancer in the elderly. Current patterns of care.

To evaluate age-related differences in the current patterns of presentation and clinical management of breast cancer patients, the authors reviewed 1795 patients referred to a university hospital for their initial treatment. No age-related differences were found with respect to laterality and anatomic site. Age-related differences were seen with respect to histology, with mucinous (colloid) carcinoma being relatively more common with increasing age and medullary and inflammatory carcinoma being more common among young patients. Patients over age 55 presented with more advanced extent of disease, but the proportion did not further increase above age 65. Patients age 75 and older were nearly twice as likely to have surgery as their sole treatment as patients under age 45. The difference in treatment was specifically associated with the differential use of adjuvant chemotherapy between age groups. Sixty percent of patients under 45 with regional node involvement received adjuvant chemotherapy compared with only 27% of those 65 and older. Despite their similar characteristics in regard to laterality, anatomic site, and histology, elderly patients are less frequently given adjuvant chemotherapy in stage II breast cancer.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Human retinal pigment epithelium in long term explant culture.

Explants of human retinal pigment epithelium were maintained in culture in various types of media, and examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. After one month in vitro, the central areas showed a monolayered configuration with distinct polarity and presence of ruthenium red stainable material on the apical surface. On the peripheral areas of Bruch's membrane, multilayered lesions were observed to develop and to extend from the monolayered epithelium and past the cut edge in Bruch's membrane. Cells in these lesions contained little melanin and generally lacked an apico-basal polarity. Ruthenium red staining revealed the presence of electron dense material on the apical surface of the lesions as well as in the extracellular space between cells in the various layers. Development of multilayered lesions with deposition of extracellular material are seen in various chorio-retinal disorders, including senile macular degenerations and also subsequent to laser and cryo-therapy. The findings in the present study point to the explant culture system as a valuable tool in the study of important aspects of chorio-retinal pathology.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Requirement for two or more Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora pectolytic gene products for maceration of potato tuber tissue by Escherichia coli.

Several genes encoding enzymes capable of degrading plant cell wall components have been cloned from Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora EC14. Plasmids containing cloned EC14 DNA mediate the production of endo-pectate lyases, exo-pectate lyase, endo-polygalacturonase, and cellulase(s). Escherichia coli strains containing one of these plasmids or combinations of two plasmids were tested for their ability to macerate potato tuber slices. Only one E. coli strain, containing two plasmids that encode endo-pectate lyases, exo-pectate lyase, and endo-polygalacturonase, caused limited maceration. The pectolytic proteins associated with one of these plasmids, pDR1, have been described previously (D. P. Roberts, P. M. Berman, C. Allen, V. K. Stromberg, G. H. Lacy, and M. S. Mount, Can. J. Plant Pathol. 8:17-27, 1986) and include two secreted endo-pectate lyases. The second plasmid, pDR30, contains a 2.1-kilobase EC14 DNA insert that mediates the production of an exo-pectate lyase and an endo-polygalacturonase. These enzymes are similar in physicochemical properties to those produced by EC14. Our results suggest that the concerted activities of endo-pectate lyases with endo-polygalacturonase or exo-pectate lyase or both cause maceration.

Cell Wall↗
PubMed1985

The interaction between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the corneal epithelium. An electron microscopic study.

The interaction between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the rabbit corneal epithelium during the first hour after inoculation was studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Fifteen minutes after inoculation, adherent bacteria were found on damaged or exposed basal epithelial cells at the edge of an epithelial defect, and this adherence was the result of an interaction between the bacterial and epithelial cell membranes. Thirty minutes after inoculation, the adherent bacteria began to penetrate the epithelial cells by the formation of "pockets" surrounding the organisms, and after an additional 15 minutes the bacteria further penetrated the cells as the pockets began to fill in with cellular material. One hour after inoculation, only rare bacteria were seen on the cell surfaces or within the margins of the epithelial defect. Transmission electron microscopy, however, revealed many intracellular bacteria or bacteria that had migrated between the basal epithelium and corneal stroma. Therefore, it appears that the initiating events in Pseudomonas corneal ulceration involve adherence to the damaged or exposed basal epithelial cells by an interaction between the bacterial and cellular membranes, after which the organisms are engulfed by the epithelial cell and reach the corneal stroma by a process of transcellular migration.

Adhesiveness↗
PubMed1985

Prevalence and clinical associations of intraocular pressure changes in Graves' disease.

We investigated an unselected series of 55 patients with treated or untreated hyperthyroid Graves' disease, assessing their clinical and laboratory status and ophthalmological findings, including the difference in intraocular pressure (dIOP) between upgaze and straight gaze using applanation tonometry. An increased dIOP (greater than 2 mm Hg) was detected in only 22% of Graves' patients [who had a mean dIOP of 3.5 +/- 1.6 (+/- SEM) mm Hg]. dIOP did not correlate with age, sex, age at disease onset, duration of disease, mode of antithyroid treatment, or thyroid function testing at the time of examination. Mean Hertel exophthalmometry measurements in patients with a dIOP greater than 2 mm Hg were 22.0 +/- 2.9 mm compared with 18.4 +/- 3.7 mm in those with a dIOP less than 2 mm Hg (P less than 0.027, by Wilcoxon rank sum test). Only 58% of patients with increased dIOP had clinical exophthalmos, but all had other evidence of Graves' eye disease. Computed tomographic scanning revealed significant proptosis and/or orbital muscle involvement in all of the patients with increased dIOP.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Ancrod: normalization of fibrinolytic enzyme abnormalities in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis.

Ancrod is a thrombinlike enzyme from Malayan pit viper (Agkistrodon rhodostoma) venom that has a selective enzyme substrate specificity for fibrinogen. Unlike thrombin, it splits only fibrinopeptide A from the fibrinogen molecule and does not activate factor XIII. Simultaneously with the occurrence of hypofibrinogenemia there is a reduction of plasma plasminogen and a rise in fibrin degradation products, suggesting secondary recruitment of the fibrinolytic enzyme system. Ancrod was given to 18 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and glomerular and vascular microthrombi. Before treatment vascular plasminogen activator (VPA) was low or unmeasurable in 14, an inhibitor of urokinase-induced plasminogen activation (IPA) was elevated in 18, and an inhibitor of plasmin (PI) was elevated in five. Ancrod treatment resulted in prompt normalization of IPA levels in 13 patients; they were classified as fibrinolysis responders. In five patients IPA levels remained elevated throughout treatment with ancrod; they were classified as fibrinolysis nonresponders. In these five the PI level was elevated before treatment and decreased slowly toward the normal range during ancrod administration. The PI did not appear related to the nonspecific serine protease inhibitors, and was shown to be identical with alpha 2-antiplasmin. In the fibrinolysis responders serial histologic studies showed a striking decrease of disappearance of microvascular thrombosis; in the fibrinolysis nonresponders microvascular thrombosis persisted. The action of ancrod is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Features of synovial membrane identified with monoclonal antibodies.

As part of a study of the characteristics of the synovial membrane which make it susceptible to inflammatory reactions, we tested a number of monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) which revealed novel features of the synovium using tissue from rheumatoid, osteoarthritic and traumatized (mechanically deranged) joints. In a previous study we detected macrophages (Mph) lining the synovial membrane by means of Mph specific and HLA-DR specific MoAb. These may account for the type A synoviocytes. Type B synoviocytes are thought to be fibroblastic and we used an anti-Thy 1 MoAb to identify these cells. Many fibroblasts were seen in a subintimal position but only few in the lining layer, not in sufficient numbers to account for the type-B category of synoviocyte. Staining with a new MoAb, 67, was found to precisely delineate the lining layer. This MoAb was previously seen to react with dendritic reticulum cells (DRC) of germinal centres, cells involved in B lymphocyte activation. However, other MoAb which react with germinal centre DRC did not label the synovial lining layer. Several MoAb revealed features of the vasculature not previously recognized. In rheumatoid samples, MoAb10 labelled small capillaries near the synovial surface and larger vessels deeper in the intima were labelled with a second MoAb, SM phi. This dichotomy of staining was not so apparent in synovium from control osteoarthritis and trauma (OA/T) samples. In addition, the Thy 1 epitope, identified previously on a variety of human cells, was strongly expressed on all vascular endothelium. Finally a new vessel or duct like structure was identified in OA/T samples, located subintimally. These ducts contained keratin, detected with MoAb LE61 and may be the normal counterpart for the rare malignancy, biphasic synovial sarcoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Monocytes and other infiltrating cells in human colorectal tumours identified by monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies have been used to examine the patterns of infiltrating cells in colorectal tumours staged according to Dukes' classification. MAbs reacting with monocytes, but not tissue Mph, revealed a six-fold increase in monocytes in metastasizing C tumours compared to normal gut. The non-metastasizing B tumours could be divided into one group containing increased numbers of monocytes, and a second group comparable to control gut. T-cell numbers were increased in all tumour stages by an average 1.4-fold, which disguised the lack of consistent pattern in T-cell subset ratios in the tumour stromal tissue. However, in the tumour epithelium, there was a constant decrease in the Ts + c cell subset and a subsequent alteration in T-cell subset ratio in favour of Th + i cells. With the progression from Dukes' Stage B to C, there was an increase in the proportion of monocytes and T cells which were activated as detected by mAbs to the C3b receptor and IL-2 receptor, respectively. These observations suggest that an immune response is in progress in these colorectal tumours and that it is most active in the metastasizing Dukes' C tumours. Whether this response is elicited by the tumour or other elements, whether it is detrimental to tumour growth, or whether it is actively assisting tumour growth and possibly dissemination, are matters of conjecture.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1984

Ranitidine in the control of acute upper gastro-intestinal haemorrhage. A prospective randomized trial.

Fifty patients with acute upper gastro-intestinal haemorrhage were given either oral or intravenous ranitidine ( Zantac ; Glaxo), the route of administration being allocated on a random basis. Two patients were excluded from the oral group and 5 were excluded from the intravenous group. The two groups were similar as regards age, sex, number of patients aged over 60 years and severity of bleeding. All the patients were carefully monitored for rebleeding, which occurred in a total of 7 cases (16,3%), 6 in the oral group (26%) and 1 in the intravenous group (5%). Statistically this represented a marked tendency towards a significantly lower incidence of recurrent haemorrhage in the patients treated with intravenous ranitidine (P = 0,07, tested according to Fisher's exact method). No patient in the intravenous group who bled again came to surgery, while 3 of the 23 patients in the oral group (13%) required surgery.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1984

Hereditary retinal degeneration in the Rhode Island Red chicken. I. Histology and ERG.

Hereditary blindness in Rhode Island Red chickens was analyzed at various post-hatching stages by light microscopy and electrophysiological recordings. At the time of hatching the retina of affected chicks appeared morphologically normal and identical to that of control, non-affected chicks. Whereas the electroretinographic (ERG) response to light stimulus in normal chicks was near the adult level at the time of hatching, no ERG either under light- or dark-adapted conditions was measurable in affected chicks at any stage examined. Photoreceptor cells of affected animals were seen to undergo degenerative changes after about one week post-hatching. Decrease in number of outer segments, spaces between inner segments and large spaces in the outer nuclear layer were apparent by Day 10. By Day 21, most of the photoreceptor inner segments appeared swollen, and the decrease in number of outer segments and photoreceptor nuclei was noteworthy. By the end of the second month no outer segments were seen and the majority of identifiable inner segments were from cones, a larger proportion than normally present being double cones. By six months, very few photoreceptor inner segments and nuclei remained; most inner segments were deformed and diminutive but usually contained a clearstaining oil droplet characteristic of the principal member of the double cone. In all stages after one week of age, pycnotic nuclei and thinning of inner retinal layers accompanied photoreceptor degeneration. In all specimens examined, degeneration of retinal cells was more pronounced in the superior central retina than in the periphery. Pathological changes were frequently also noted in the pigment epithelium overlying degenerating retina. Because the chick retina is well developed at birth, contains a fovea and a significant cone population and because cones (particularly one specific type) survive rods, we believe that this congenitally-blind chicken may be a useful model for studies on human hereditary retinal degenerations.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1984

Influence of polyunsaturated and saturated fats on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in man.

The effects of varying polyunsaturated/saturated (P/S) fat ratios on the plasma levels of lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoprotein A-I were assessed in six normal healthy subjects (three males, three females) with a particular focus on the P/S ratio which would offer optimal concentrations of both low-(LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). The isocaloric experimental diets contained 40% of calories as carbohydrate, 40% fat, and 20% protein; dietary cholesterol was 400 mg/day. The P/S ratio for the diets was 0.4, 1.0, or 2.0. Each diet was sequentially consumed for periods of 2 wk each. At the end of each 2-wk study period, plasma lipid, apolipoprotein A-I, and LDL and HDL cholesterol concentrations were determined; HDL were fractionated by zonal ultracentrifugation and lipid and protein composition determined. Compared to the P/S = 0.4 diet, mean plasma total cholesterol fell by approximately 6 and 12% on the P/S = 1.0 or P/S = 2.0 diets, respectively; plasma concentrations of LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A-I were also decreased on the polyunsaturated fat diets. The mean +/- SEM concentration (mg/dl) of HDL-cholesterol was 49.0 +/- 5.2 (P/S = 0.4), 44.0 +/- 3.8, (P/S = 1.0) and 41.0 +/- 3.7 (P/S = 2.0). As a result of a reduction in both LDL- and HDL-cholesterol on the polyunsaturate-rich diets, the ratios of HDL-cholesterol to plasma total cholesterol and HDL- to LDL-cholesterol were not significantly changed on the three diets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Electrophoretic and cytochemical characterization of alpha-naphthyl acetate esterases in acute myeloid leukemia: relationships with membrane receptor and monocyte-specific antigen expression.

Alpha-naphthyl acetate esterases (ANAE) were examined by cytochemical and isoelectric focusing (IEF) techniques in 48 cases of acute myeloid leukemia that were classified by conventional morphological criteria. Four main types of ANAE isoenzyme patterns were found by IEF, and comparisons with the expression of membrane receptors (Fc-IgG and C3b) and monocyte-specific antigens (UCHM1, UCHALF, and E11) suggest relationships between ANAE isoenzyme synthesis and distinct myeloid maturational stages. The results further indicate that the blast cells of acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AMML) may represent an immature variant of monocytic leukemia (AMoL) and that morphological examination alone is inadequate in the assessment of monocytic differentiation in acute myeloid leukemias. Inhibition studies of cytochemical ANAE activity with sodium fluoride (NaF) show that the presence of NaF-sensitive or NaF-resistant ANAE enzymes is often unrelated to the diagnostic category of acute leukemia. The results of this study are examined in relation to current concepts of myeloid differentiation, and the application of these findings to the subclassification of acute myeloid leukemias is discussed.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1984

Fibrinolysis in health and disease: severe abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Methods are described to measure fibrinolysis in healthy persons and in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Using the fibrin plate method, total fibrinolytic activity and vascular plasminogen activator were measured. (Total fibrinolytic activity expresses the fibrinolytic potential and consists of both the intrinsic [factor XII-dependent and independent] activities and the extrinsic activities [vascular or tissue type]. Vascular plasminogen activator, assessed in a separate assay, refers to the endothelium-derived component only.) In addition, the degree of inhibition by plasma of both urokinase-induced and of plasmin-induced fibrinolysis were analyzed. Vascular plasminogen activator levels were low in 63% of plasma samples from 55 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The level of an inhibitor of plasminogen activation was significantly elevated in 87% of patients and levels of an inhibitor of plasmin were significantly elevated in 29%. The nonspecific serine protease inhibitors, including alpha 2-macroglobulin, were within the normal range in all patients. The natures of inhibitor of plasminogen activation and plasmin inhibitor were studied further. Using both the fibrin plate and the lysis time methods, the data indicated that the urokinase-inhibiting activity increased with time of incubation of plasma-enzyme mixtures, whereas the plasmin inhibiting activity did not. Elevated levels of plasmin inhibitor measured with the fibrin plate method correlated well with prolonged lysis times. Results using the chromogenic substrate S-2251, commonly used as a simple and specific assay for antiplasmin, agreed reasonably well with those using the fibrin plate method, but elevated plasmin inhibitor levels could be quantitated with greater accuracy and sensitivity by the fibrin plate method. Studies with an antiserum directed against alpha 2-antiplasmin showed that inhibitor of plasminogen activation and plasmin inhibitor were different inhibitors, and that plasmin inhibitor was identical to alpha 2-antiplasmin. The abnormalities are discussed in the light of current knowledge on fibrinolysis and as possible mediators in the pathogenesis and perpetuation of lupus glomerulonephritis.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Monoclonal antibodies differentiating between monocytic and nonmonocytic variants of AML.

Blast cells from 70 cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), with a preponderance of monocytic variants (M4 and M5), were stained with a panel of 10 monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) that react with normal myeloid cells. Two McAb, UCHMI and UCHALF, stained cells from nearly every case of M4 and M5 leukemia, but not cells from cases of M1/M2 leukemia. Two other antibodies, E11 and UC45, were also specific for the monocytic leukemias, but stained cells from a lesser proportion of cases. The antibodies TG1, OKM1, Smø, DA2, 28, and 5.5 stained a differing proportion of cases in both the M1/M2 and M4/M5 subtypes. Routine morphology and alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) staining were largely in agreement with the antibody findings, though the interpretation of the fluoride sensitivity of ANAE was apparently misleading in 10% of cases. It is concluded that these antibodies, particularly UCHMI and UCHALF, will be of considerable value in the more precise subtyping of AML and that some of this panel of antibodies will be valuable tools for the investigation of normal monocytic differentiation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗