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Biomedical subjects

C Watson

Publications and source records attributed to C Watson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

The sympathetic innervation of the eyes and face: a clinicoanatomic review.

Most of the details regarding the course of the sympathetic fibers to human ocular structures are based on anatomical and physiological studies in lower animals. While studying a clinical problem involving pericarotid sympathetic fibers, it became obvious that these animal observations cannot adequately explain the findings in human diseases affecting these pathways. An attempt was made, therefore, to clarify this situation. We were able to gather enough information from human clinical and experimental studies, from our own clinical observations, and from our cadaver dissections to conclude that these pathways are somewhat different from those which are usually described in the literature. Based on this information, we conclude that 1) the oculosympathetic fibers in man do not course through the tympanic plexus and/or trigeminal ganglion, and 2) the sweat glands of the face receive their innervation from both internal and external carotid sympathetic plexuses. We also have suggestive, but inconclusive, evidence regarding the final mode of distribution of these fibers to the dilator of the pupil and the smooth muscle portion (deep layer) of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle (superior tarsal muscle).

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Frequency and characteristics of dual pathology in patients with lesional epilepsy.

We studied 167 patients who had identifiable lesions and temporal or extratemporal partial epilepsy. Pathology included neuronal migration disorders (NMDs) (48), low-grade tumors (52), vascular malformations (34), porencephalic cysts (16), and gliotic lesions as a result of cerebral insults early in life (17). MRI volumetric studies using thin (1.5- or 3-mm) coronal images were performed in all patients and in 44 age-matched normal controls. An atrophic hippocampal formation (HF), indicating dual pathology, was present in 25 patients (15%). Abnormal HF volumes were present in those with lesions involving temporal (17%) but also extratemporal (14%) areas. Age at onset and duration of epilepsy did not influence the presence of HF atrophy. However, febrile seizures in early childhood were more frequently, although not exclusively, found in patients with hippocampal atrophy. The frequency of hippocampal atrophy in our patients with low-grade tumors (2%) and vascular lesions (9%) was low. Dual pathology was far more common in patients with NMDs (25%), porencephalic cysts (31%), and reactive gliosis (23.5%). Some structural lesions, such as NMDs, are more likely to be associated with hippocampal atrophy, independent of the distance of the lesion from the HF. In other types of lesions, such as vascular malformations, dual pathology was found when the lesion was close to the HF. A common pathogenic mechanism during pre- or perinatal development may explain the occurrence of concomitant mesial temporal sclerosis and other structural lesions because of either (1) associated developmental abnormalities or (2) predisposition to prolonged febrile convulsions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Quality analysis of laryngography in a busy hospital ENT voice clinic.

The Portable Laryngograph provides a non-acoustic plot of wet mucosal contact at the glottis over the vocal fold vibrational cycle called the Lx waveform in Laryngograph terminology. Although well-equipped clinics gain most ENT requirements for investigation from the video endoscope, the nature of stroboscopy prevents the investigation over single glottal periods and many transitory problems may be missed. A high-quality Lx signal waveform will reflect any irregularities in mucosal contact and substantially complements the endoscopy examination. Yield, however, is a problem in the environment of an ENT hospital voice clinic. In this topic paper the criterion of maximum acceptable normalised noise energy (NNE) = -15 dB is used to assess the quality of 61 Laryngograph measurements. By this criterion a pass rate of 78% was achieved. This is considered to be good within an ENT voice clinic population where voice problems are in fact the dominant reason for referral.

Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted↗
PubMed1994

Heterogeneous activation thresholds to cytokines in genetically distinct endothelial cells: evidence for diverse transcriptional responses.

It is well accepted that the induction of endothelial cell (EC) adhesion molecules is a critical component in acute inflammatory responses as well as allogeneic interactions in vascularized allografts and, possibly, atherogenesis. The "inflammatory triad" of interleukin 1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor, and lipopolysaccharide are potent stimulators of the EC activation/adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (ELAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1). To address whether there exist differing thresholds to cytokine-mediated EC activation, we utilized a panel of genetically distinct human umbilical vein EC lines, assessing their modulated EC surface expression and transcriptional responses to cytokines, with regard to the cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) ELAM-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1. With submaximal concentrations of cytokine, EC ELAM-1 surface expression varied from negligible to marked. This phenotypic response was maintained over numerous passages in culture and was observed in ex vivo organ culture analyses with cytokine-treated umbilical vein sections. Relative patterns of ELAM-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 induction were similar in response to multiple stimuli (IL-1, tumor necrosis factor, and lipopolysaccharide, but not phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate). Nuclear run-off experiments demonstrated that the "high responder" phenotype is a consequence of enhanced transcriptional activation of the CAM genes in response to IL-1 (1 unit/ml), whereas transcriptional responses in "low responders" are minimal. Despite the known involvement of NF-kappa B in endothelial CAM transcription, gel shift assays failed to demonstrate a correlation between the levels of IL-1-mediated nuclear NF-kappa B expression and CAM induction in high and low responding lines. We postulate that varying EC activation thresholds to cytokines observed here, in vitro, may be a critical determinant in the susceptibility to vasculopathic states.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Failure of signaling through a chimeric class I-immunoglobulin molecule expressed on the surface of transfected B lymphoma cells and cells of transgenic mice.

To test the possibility that the crosslinkage of molecules expressing a transmembrane region derived from the membrane form of the mu immunoglobulin heavy chain would be sufficient for signal transduction in B cells, a chimeric gene (Kk-mu) consisting of extracellular exons of the class I gene H-2Kk and the transmembrane and cytosolic exons of the mu constant region gene was introduced into WEHI-231 B lymphoma cells and into mouse blastocysts. A protein consistent with the predicted product of the Kk-mu gene was expressed in a transfected cell clone (S18) and in transgenic mice. Crosslinkage of Kk-mu protein with soluble, Sepharose-bound, or dextran-conjugated anti-H-2Kk antibodies failed to induce the accumulation of inositol phosphates or to elevate intracellular calcium concentrations in either S18 cells or B lymphocytes from transgenic mice. Furthermore, crosslinkage of Kk-mu did not inhibit growth of S18 cells or stimulate DNA synthesis by transgenic B cells, in the presence or absence of interleukin-4. The failure of crosslinkage of Kk-mu to initiate detectable intracellular biochemical change or to effect cellular growth suggests that simple crosslinkage of molecules expressing the mu transmembrane region is not sufficient to transduce signals in B cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Derivation of a monoclonal anti-murine IL-4 antibody specific for an epitope expressed on denatured molecules.

Monoclonal antibodies to interleukin 4 (IL-4) were generated by immunization with recombinant IL-4 and screening by binding to IL-4 adsorbed to plastic surfaces. Three antibodies were obtained that scored well in this assay and one, 13E1, was studied in detail. It was very effective in detecting IL-4 by Western blotting whereas a neutralizing anti-IL-4 antibody, 11B11, was 50-100-fold less sensitive as a detecting agent. Sequential immunoprecipitation and biosynthetic labelling studies indicated that the 11B11 and 13E1 epitopes are largely expressed on different forms of IL-4. 13E1 was able to detect cytosolic IL-4 both by immunohistochemical and flow cytometric analysis of fixed cells. This was routinely successful in an insect cell line (Sf9) expressing large amounts of IL-4 as a result of infection with a recombinant 'IL-4 baculovirus'. Although stimulated D10 cells could also be shown to express IL-4 in their cytosol, positive results were not obtained in all such studies and we have failed to detect IL-4 production by normal T cells using this method. This antibody may have substantial value in detecting IL-4 by Western blots and as a tool to analyze the biosynthesis of IL-4. With suitable improvement in sensitivity, it also may prove valuable in the detection of IL-4 in the cytosol of individual cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Necrosis of the incus by the chorda tympani nerve.

Ossicular necrosis is often associated with chronic adhesive otitis media. An unusual abnormality discovered in an incus removed during tympanoplasty is reported. The long process appears to have been grooved by pressure from the chorda tympani. An alternative theory to explain the vulnerability of the long process of the incus is suggested.

Chorda Tympani Nerve↗
PubMed1992

Anatomic basis of amygdaloid and hippocampal volume measurement by magnetic resonance imaging.

Both the amygdala and the hippocampus are involved in the pathogenesis of a number of neurologic conditions, including temporal lobe epilepsy, postanoxic amnesia, and Alzheimer's disease. To enhance the investigation and management of patients with these disorders, we developed a protocol to measure the volumes of the amygdala and as much of the hippocampus as possible (approximately 90 to 95%) using high-resolution MRI. We present the anatomic basis of these two protocols and our results in normal control subjects. These volumetric studies of the amygdala may clarify the role of this structure in the pathogenesis of temporal lobe epilepsy.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

High-level production of murine interleukin-5 (IL-5) utilizing recombinant baculovirus expression. Purification of the rIL-5 and its use in assessing the biologic role of IL-5 glycosylation.

We describe here a recombinant baculovirus expression system useful for high level production of murine recombinant interleukin-5 (rIL-5). In addition, we describe a single-step technique of purification of the rIL-5 from the baculovirus-infected Sf9 cell supernatants, using an anti-IL-5 affinity column. The baculovirus-derived rIL-5 has physical properties and functional activities in various lymphoid cell assays similar to those of natural T cell-derived IL-5 and reacts with anti-IL-5 antibodies. Finally, the rIL-5 is similar to natural T cell-derived IL-5 in manifesting heterogeneous glycosylation; however, glycosylation does not appear to be necessary for biologic function, at least in a lymphoid cell proliferation assay.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Senior registrar training in otolaryngology: an audit of trainees.

Senior registrars in otolaryngology were asked to complete a questionnaire about the opportunities for training and research offered by their current post. Trainees were asked whether, in their opinion, the post complied with the SAC requirements for a training post. Completed replies were received from 53 (66%) trainees. Most trainees were fairly satisfied with their post but 26% considered that it did not meet with the ideals of a training post as laid down by the SAC. Large variations were noted between posts in the exposure to specialist clinics, own operating lists and research opportunities. Outpatient experience and, in particular, whether the trainee was able to follow up their own post-operative cases adequately appeared to be an important determinant in whether or not trainees were satisfied with their current post.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed1991

Status epilepticus. Clinical features, pathophysiology, and treatment.

During the past two decades, substantial progress has been made in the understanding of the clinical features, classification, pathophysiology, central nervous system consequences, and treatment of status epilepticus. The most commonly used drug regimens have advantages and disadvantages, and, in this review, I recommend a protocol for the treatment of status epilepticus. An important concept in the approach to patients in generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus is that treatment should be administered within a predetermined time frame. Clinical and experimental research indicates that continuous seizure activity for longer than 60 to 90 minutes may result in irreversible brain damage. As our understanding of the basic mechanisms of neuronal function and seizure generation advances, it is expected that more specific and novel approaches to the treatment of status epilepticus will emerge.

Benzodiazepines↗
PubMed1990

Osteochondroma of the tongue.

A case is described of osteochondroma of the tongue and the literature on osteomata, chondromata and osteochondromata of the tongue is reviewed. The tendency for these tumours to arise in the region of the foramen caecum has been noted in previous reports as has the female preponderance. It has been suggested that they arise from remnants of branchial arch cartilage. The variation in the duration and age at presentation of the lesion has not been explained and an alternative theory is suggested.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Chronic otitis media: the significance of nasal obstruction.

The nasal airway resistance of 15 patients with unilateral chronic otitis media and 15 controls was measured by anterior active rhinomanometry. Airway resistance was measured on each side before and after decongestion to differentiate resistance due to structural abnormality from that due to mucosal swelling. The nasal resistance was significantly greater (P less than 0.01) on the side of the affected ear in patients with unilateral chronic otitis media before decongestion, but following decongestion the difference was not significant. Nasal obstruction is a significant determinant in unilateral chronic otitis media and although septal displacement may be the underlying cause, the major component of the obstruction appears to be due to an associated mucosal oedema.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1990

Tennis elbow. A clinicopathologic study of 22 cases followed for 2 years.

Twenty-two elbows in 20 patients with persistent lateral pain due to epicondylitis had release of the common extensor origin and decortication of the lateral epicondyle. Specimens taken from the lateral epicondyle were examined histologically and compared with controls, and patients were reviewed clinically 2 (1/2-4) years after operation. Following surgery, symptoms were improved in 17 patients. Histologic examination of the bone-tendon junction revealed evidence of a repair response of variable degree, the most frequent features being mucopolysaccharide infiltration and bone formation. Fibrofatty degenerative changes were also present in some cases. There was no correlation between the intensity of the histologic reaction and the clinical outcome.

Adult↗