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Biomedical subjects

C C Bird

Publications and source records attributed to C C Bird.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Quantitative analysis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

A preliminary attempt has been made to characterise a small series of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) by morphometric means using the Quantimet 720 Kontron MOP/AMO3 image analysis systems. In most cases it was found that the distribution of nuclear area and correlation between mean nuclear area and frequency per unit field, corresponded closely with tumour classification determined by light microscopy. These results suggest that it may be possible to devise an objective and reproducible grading system for NHL using quantitative morphometric techniques.

Adolescent↗

Ultrastructural and immunohistological study of immunoblastic sarcoma developing in child with immunoblastic lymphadenopathy.

The first case of immunoblastic lymphadenopathy developing in a child which progressed to immunoblastic sarcoma is reported. The sarcoma cells showed light and electron microscopic features of transformed lymphocytes (immunoblasts) but it was not possible to establish their B-cell origin using a peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique for the demonstration of intracellular immunoglobulins. In the affected lymph nodes there was marked proliferation of reticulum and endothelial cells both of which contained numerous intranuclear inclusions which may be of viral origin. Ultrastructural studies suggest that the amorphous eosinophilic interstitial material, an important diagnostic morphological feature of immunoblastic lymphadenopahy, results from the oblique sectioning of the elongated and branching cytoplasmic processes of reticulum cells. It is postulated that in immunoblastic lymphadenopathy the proliferation of reticulum and endothelial cells may be the primary event, perhaps stimulated by viral infection and that the intense lymphocytic and plasmacytic infiltration and sarcomatous transformation occur as secondary phenomena.

Child↗

Effect of intrauterine contraceptive device on uterine haemostasis: a morphological study.

The effect of the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) on uterine haemostasis was studied at various stages of the menstrual cycle in a series of 46 patients by light- and electron-microscopy and by following the distribution of an infusion of 51Cr-labelled autologous platelets. The endometrium in contact with the IUCD in the majority of cases showed grooving with atrophy and mild chronic inflammation in the surrounding tissues. The adjacent stroma also showed increased vascularity and occasional foci of haemorrhage but the increased blood loss associated with the presence of the IUCD could not be attributed to mechanical erosion or stromal blood vessels by the device. During menstruation the presence of an IUCD does not appear to inhibit the formation of fibrin/platelet thrombi although both in control and IUCD patients there was a striking paucity of platelet/fibrin thrombi in circumstances where their formation should be enhanced. In contrast to other workers we have not observed that gaps or breaks in the endothelial lining of endometrial blood vessels occur with any greater frequency in patients fitted with an IUCD. The principal mechanism by which uterine haemostasis is achieved remains to be established.

Adult↗

Heparin-like activity in uterine fluid.

Uterine fluid was collected from a group of normal patients and a group of patients with menorrhagia. Heparin-like activity was detected in 34 out of 38 samples using an anti-Xa heparin assay. The heparin-like activity in uterine fluid was inhibited by adding the heparin antagonist hexadimethrine bromide to the assay. Concentrations of fibrinogen-fibrin degradation products (FDPs) were measured in five samples of uterine fluid. FDPs in the concentration detected had no effect on the anti-Xa assay. Heparin-like activity was higher in the group with menorrhagia, although the differences were not significant. Heparin-like activity increased throughout the menstrual cycle and decreased during menstruation, suggesting a possible cyclical variation in activity. There was no correlation between mast cell numbers in the endometrium and myometrium and heparin-like activity in uterine fluid and no correlation between the numbers and the stage in the menstrual cycle. In a few patients with intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) heparin-like activity was increased.

Body Fluids↗

Morphological aspects of glucocorticoid-induced cell death in human lymphoblastoid cells.

Morphological aspects of cell death associated with a cytolethal concentration of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (500 micrograms/ml) on the BLA1 lymphoblastoid cell line were studied over a 48-hr incubation period by light, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Studies revealed two distinctive morphological changes induced by the steroid from 1 hr onwards after treatment. One showed contortion and "blebbing" of the cytoplasm and nucleus accompanied or followed by nuclear pyknosis, resulting in the formation of membrane-bounded bodies containing apparently normal cytoplasmic organelles with or without nuclear fragments. The other showed "rounding up" of the cell with loss of cytoplasmic protrusions and long slender surface processes, aggregation of well-preserved cytoplasmic organelles, accompanied by nuclear pyknosis and fragmentation. In both cases many of the features are typical of apoptosis. The subsequent degeneration of cells and fragments not unexpectedly resembled in vitro autolysis. This in-vitro system is suitable for studying the early biochemical events and intracellular control mechanisms of apoptosis.

Cell Line↗

Uterine cirsoid aneurysm.

Cirsoid (or varicose) aneurysm of the uterine vessels causes severe, life-threatening uterine bleeding. Previous trophoblastic neoplasia is a common predisposing factor. Diagnosis is by arteriography and may be missed without it.

Adult↗

Endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary. The orphan tumor.

The endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary is a rare and highly lethal germ cell tumor. At least 10 different names have been applied to it, and so long as its name remains unsettled the collection of information will continue to be greatly impeded. One of the patients who came under our observation died after 21 months despite surgical removal of all evident disease followed by radiation and chemotherapy; the other patient, whose tumor could be removed only partially, and who received intensive chemotherapy for 4 months but refused all treatment thereafter, is well without evidence of disease 3 years after the initial diagnosis was made. Despite the dismal outlook for patients with this tumor, a few encouraging features emphasize the need to report new cases as they appear, and to continue the search for agents that will control it.

Adolescent↗

Cytolethal effects of glucocorticoids in human lymphoblastoid cell lines.

Glucocorticoid hormones penetrate rapidly into intact lymphoblastoid cells and are retained with the same high affinity and specificity as with cytoplasmic extracts. Optimal conditions for lethal glucocorticoid responses in vitro were determined for a series of human lymphoblastoid cell lines by using different glucocorticoid preparations, and steroid solvents and by varying the cell density. Kinetic studies revealed that lethal glucocorticoid effects are dose-dependent and that continuous exposure of cells to steroid is necessary for progression of lethal effects to occur. Even under optimal conditions, human lymphoblastoid cells only exhibit a marked cytolethal response to glucocorticoids at concentrations which greatly exceed both physiological and therapeutically attainable steroid levels. They are also greatly in excess of steroid levels required to saturate the cytoplasmic receptors of intact or disrupted lymphoblastoid cells. It is suggested that either lethal steroid mechanisms in vitro differ fundamentally from those in vivo or the pharmacological activity of glucocorticoids in vivo does not involve a direct cytolethal action.

Burkitt Lymphoma↗

Effect of methylprednisolone on the nucleoside metabolism of a human lymphoblastoid cell line.

Concentrations of methylprednisolone which have lethal effects on human lymphoblastoid cell lines in vitro cause a reduction both in the uptake of uridine and thymidine into acid-soluble material and their incorporation into acid-insoluble material. These effects are virtually instantaneous, which indicates that they do not depend on alterations in gene activity. Normal uptake of nucleosides into cells is by both simple and facilitated diffusion, and methylprednisolone appears to act directly on the cell surface to inhibit only facilitated diffusion uptake.

Cell Line↗

An evaluation of preinduction scoring systems.

A double-blind clinical study of five preinduction scoring systems was undertaken to determine the accuracy of clinical usefulness of each system as applied to a diverse group of patients. When strictly applied, all five systems were found to be as accurate and useful as it was originally claimed they were. However, when applied without regard to each author's prerequisites, none of the five scoring systems was found to be reliable. A series of preinduction score modifiers is presented which, when applied to any of the preinduction scoring systems, will reliably predict the outcome of induction of labor, with a 50% induction failure rate in patients with lower third scores, a 10% failure for middle third scores, and essentially a 0% failure in the upper third scores.

Apgar Score↗

A six-year prospective study of term breech deliveries utilizing the Zatuchni-Andros Prognostic Scoring Index.

Utilizing the Zatuchni-Andros Breech Scoring Index a prospective study of 290 consecutive term breech deliveries occurring at Evanston Hospital from Jan. 1, 1968, to Jan. 1, 1974, is reported. This paper represents a direct continuation of a retrospective study of 500 consecutive term breech deliveries reported by the authorsin 1970. The results indicate that this breech assessment method is a valid method and it is recommended that patients whose breech score is 3 or less be submitted to immediate cesarean section and, conversely, those with a breech score of 4 or more be allowed to labor with meticulous observation with a high confidence level that successful vaginal delivery will result. Also, cautious stimulation with intravenous oxytocin can be safely undertaken when necessary in patients with a breech score of 4 or more. By employment of the Zatuchni-Andros Breech Scoring Index, the authors submit, fetal mortality and morbidity rates are markedly diminished.

Adolescent↗

Cytoplasmic receptor levels and glucocorticoid response in human lymphoblastoid cell lines.

The cytolethal response to treatment with prednisolone was investigated in vitro in eight human lymphoblastoid cell lines containing varying concentrations of specific cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptors. A similar response was observed in seven of the lines irrespective of their concentration of cytoplasmic receptors and pharmacological doses of steroid, well above those required to saturate receptors in cell-free extracts, were required for a massive lethal response. One cell line derived from Burkitt's lymphoma was refractory to lethal effects even with pharmacological doses of steroid. A similar unresponsiveness to the cytolethal effect of prednisolone in vitro was observed in fresh lymphoblasts derived from patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia despite evidence of a satisfactory clinical response to therapy which included steroid. The resistance of human lymphoblastoid cells to treatment with glucocorticoids in vitro may result from a defect in activation subsequent to the binding of steroid to cytoplasmic receptors.

Burkitt Lymphoma↗