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Biomedical subjects

D B Goodman

Publications and source records attributed to D B Goodman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

The effect of renal function on serum levels of CA 125.

OBJECTIVE: Serum assays for CA 125 are used to monitor disease status in patients undergoing treatment for epithelial ovarian cancer. While a number of benign gynecologic as well as benign and malignant nongynecologic conditions are associated with CA 125 elevations, the established "normal" range describes a healthy population of women. The metabolism and clearance of CA 125 is not well understood. Because mild degrees of renal impairment frequently occur in ovarian cancer patients, we investigated the effect of impaired renal function on basal CA 125 in a population of female dialysis patients. METHODS: Twenty-five women on hemodialysis were selected at random. Patients ranged in age from 29 to 87 years. Renal disease was secondary in most cases to diabetes mellitus or hypertension. The creatinine clearance was less than 10 cc/min for all patients. The duration of dialysis ranged from 3 months to 14 years. Serum levels of CA 125 were measured using monoclonal antibodies in an immunoradiometric assay. RESULTS: The mean of duplicate determinations for 23 of 25 (92%) patients fell within the normal range for otherwise healthy women (< 35 U/ml). There was no apparent correlation between CA 125 level and age, menopausal status, BUN, serum creatinine, adequacy of dialysis, or primary underlying diagnosis. Of the 2 patients (8%) with CA 125 levels above the normal range, 1 was premenopausal and the other was postmenopausal; their CA 125 elevations were marginal (49.81 and 50.51). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that even marked renal insufficiency is not itself associated with significant elevations of CA 125 above the normal range selected for otherwise healthy women. The development of renal insufficiency during treatment for ovarian cancer should not alter the interpretation of serum levels of CA 125.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Immunolocalization of ubiquitin in degenerating insect flight muscle.

Ubiquitin was localized by immunofluorescence microscopy during post-mating histolysis of fibrillar flight muscle in female fire ants, Solenopsis spp. Normal muscles, as well as histolysing muscles from artificially inseminated and haemolymph-injected females contained ubiquitin in association with nuclei, Z-lines, myofilaments and mitochondria. However, the density of the ubiquitin immunoreaction was markedly increased in the nuclei, Z-lines and mitochondria of degenerating tissues 6, 12 and 24 h posttreatment. At these times the heaviest immunoreactivity for ubiquitin was seen in association with the nuclei, Z-lines and mitochondria. Immuno-controls, incubated in the absence of the primary antibody, showed no similar immunostaining. When insemination was preceded by the injection of actinomycin D, muscle degradation was significantly depressed after a 24-h period. Also, ubiquitin immunofluorescence was markedly reduced in tissues pre-treated with actinomycin D. These observations suggest that insemination increases the ubiquitination of specific myofibrillar proteins destined for degradation.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening for chromosomal abnormalities: a prospective study in women aged 35 and older.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the detection and false-positive rates for maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein measurement to screen for fetal Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities in women > or = 35 years old. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 3896 women had serum maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels measured routinely before amniocentesis for the indication of advanced maternal age. RESULTS: Eighty-five percent (28/33) of fetal Down syndrome pregnancies had second-trimester risks of > or = 1:270 on the basis of a combination of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein measurement and maternal age. Risks were also > or = 1:270 in 63% of the unaffected pregnancies. Sex chromosome aneuploidies, translocations, and other nonautosomal chromosome abnormalities in this study population were not associated with altered maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels; 51.9% (14/27) of these, however, were also assigned risks of > or = 1:270. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening is more accurate than age alone for assigning individual Down syndrome risk in pregnant women > or = 35 years old. Counseling for women in this age group should include information regarding the lower sensitivity of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening for detecting fetal Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities (especially sex chromosome aneuploidies) compared with offering amniocentesis to these women.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Insulin accelerates the post germinative development of several fat-storing seeds.

The effect of insulin and insulin like growth factors I and II on sunflower, watermelon and cucumber cotyledons has been examined. Each peptide stimulates an increase in the activity of several glyoxysomal enzymes which catalyze the conversion of fat to carbohydrate. These results provide the first evidence for the action of insulin and insulin like growth factors in plants.

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1993

Superoxide formation preceding flight muscle histolysis in Solenopsis: fine structural cytochemistry and biochemistry.

In Solenopsis spp., muscle histolysis or breakdown is a normal process in females and is initiated in the flight muscles only immediately after a mating flight. Information regarding the presence of the oxyradical scavenging enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the formation of the radical oxygen intermediate superoxide (SO) during the early stages of flight muscle histolysis in this insect was investigated. In normal fibrillar flight muscles from control animals, SOD was immunolocalized to vesicular and tubular components of the sarcotubular system. Lanthanum tracer studies indicated that some of these SOD-positive structures might be tubulovesicles continuous with the extracellular space. Following the injection of virgin alates with experimental haemolymph obtained from artificially inseminated females, the membrane delimited elements of the sarcotubular system became increasingly swollen and dilated with time (from 60 to 120 minutes postinjection) with a concomitant decrease in SOD activity and an increase in oxyradical formation. Many similar vesicles were lanthanum-positive. SO was not seen in the sarcoplasmic vesicles and tubules of control insects. The biochemical quantification of SO release over a 2-hour period showed a marked increase in oxyradical formation following treatment with the experimental haemolymph in comparison to control insects. Also, the addition of superoxide dismutase depressed SO formation under these conditions. Despite the histochemical and biochemical changes seen in the muscles of experimental insects, by 2 hours post-treatment there was no evidence of muscle necrosis. From these studies on flight muscle histolysis/necrosis in Solenopsis it appears that the formation of oxyradicals might represent an early event in myopathogenesis and subsequent tissue involution. The generation of SO is more than likely to be associated with alterations in the normal structure, biochemistry and permeability of the biomembranes which delimit the sarcotubular system.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Assessment of the Abbott IMx assay system for the measurement of human chorionic gonadotropin levels in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy.

The rapid, accurate determination of serum human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) levels in the 900- to 2000-IU/L range is a critical element in the treatment of patients with suspected ectopic pregnancy. Using the Abbott IMx system (Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, Ill), beta-hCG levels can be determined on an undiluted sample up to 1000 IU/L. A sample with beta-hCG level greater than 1000 IU/L is automatically diluted and the diluted sample redetermined. Unfortunately, employing a 1:200 fixed dilution can produce a working sample that contains an beta-hCG concentration that does not fall on a linear portion of the standard curve (<7.5 IU/L). This results in a calculated beta-hCG concentration (200 x observed value) that has high error (coefficient of variation up to 21.8%). Additionally, interfering substances in the reagents, which vary in quantity from lot to lot of reagents, further confound accurate beta-hCG determination by the system. Consequently, the Abbott IMx assay system cannot be used as recommended by the manufacturer for routine measurement of serum beta-hCG in the 900- to 2000-IU range. An alternate protocol employing at 1:10 dilution would allow a more accurate beta-hCG determination.

Autoanalysis↗
PubMed1992

Evidence for the glyoxylate cycle in human liver.

The enzymatic activities unique to the glyoxylate cycle of higher plants and certain lower invertebrates, isocitrate lyase and malate synthase, have been demonstrated in homogenates prepared from human liver. Human liver can also carry out cyanide-insensitive fatty acid oxidation from palmitate. Utilizing light microscopic immunocytochemistry with an antibody produced against Euglena malate synthase, this enzyme localizes in numerous ovoid granules in human hepatocytes. Also, immunocytochemistry using antibodies produced against rat fatty acyl-CoA oxidase showed that this enzyme was localized in similar structures. With routine cytochemistry, catalase was seen in identical granular bodies. Both catalase and fatty acyl-CoA oxidase are peroxisomal enzymes. The presence of malate synthase in liver homogenates was further confirmed by Western blot analysis. These data suggest that the human liver may be capable of utilizing the carbon backbone of fatty acids for carbohydrate synthesis since the glyoxylate cycle in lower organisms subserves this anabolic function.

Acyl-CoA Oxidase↗
PubMed1992

The utility of the TDx test in the assessment of fetal lung maturity.

Accurate assessment of fetal lung maturity is essential in the management of high-risk obstetric patients. New rapid techniques have been developed to supplement time-consuming chromatographic methods. We compared one of these newer methods, the TDx-FLM, to the standard tests for fetal pulmonary maturity. There was an excellent correlation between the TDx and the lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio (r = 0.78). Although a TDx value of 70 or greater is considered mature, we found a value of 50 or greater predictive of fetal lung maturity in 100% of cases, and have chosen to redefine a mature value as 50 or greater in our institution. This value has greatly enhanced the clinical applicability of the test, allowing use of a large number of specimens from the previously poorly understood and often disregarded borderline category.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1991

Cryofixation, ultracryomicrotomy, and X-ray microanalysis of enterocytes from chick duodenum: vitamin-D-induced formation of an apical tubulovesicular system.

New methods of tissue preparation were developed to study the morphology and distribution of calcium ions in duodenal enterocytes from normal, rachitic, and vitamin D-replete (either cholecalciferol [CC] or 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25-DHCC] treated) chicks. Frozen hydrated sections were prepared from cryofixed tissues by ultracryomicrotomy at -125 degrees C. Sections were subsequently freeze-dried by increasing the temperature to -100 degrees C. The latter temperature was maintained throughout both the structural and elemental analyses. In cells from normal, rachitic, and vitamin D-treated [CC] animals the brush border from lanthanum-infused tissues was electron dense and calcium-lanthanum positive by x-ray analysis. In the absence of lanthanum, i.e., sucrose-infused duodena, the microvilli were still calcium positive. In the terminal web region of normal and CC-treated enterocytes, numerous, apparently interconnected, tubules and vesicles were seen. Vacuole-like structures were also seen. Such structures were especially prominent in the enterocytes from the vitamin-treated [CC] animals. Except for the vacuoles, the tubules and vesicles were electron dense in the lanthanum-infused duodena, and clear in sucrose-infused tissues. In both instances, the structures were calcium positive. Similar, but even larger structures were seen below the terminal web. Here however, the tubules and vesicles seemed to be organized into multiple complex interconnecting networks, i.e., tubulo-vesicular complexes. Both the tubules and the vesicles seemed to be interconnected via smaller channel-like entities. The extensiveness of this structure was better appreciated in the enterocytes from lanthanum-infused tissues, where it appeared similar in structure and complexity to an en face view of the sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscle. These intestinal complexes were less well developed, decreased in number, and quite often absent, in the apical cytoplasm of absorptive cells from rachitic chicks. In the enterocytes from animals treated for 24 hours with 1,25-DHCC, the same highly developed tubulo-vesicular networks were again seen in the enterocyte apical cytoplasm. They were even more developed in the 1,25-DHCC-treated animals. All structures were intensely calcium positive in enterocytes from both the lanthanum- and the sucrose-infused preparations. Numerous endocytotic (pinocytotic) vesicles were seen at the lumenal plasmalemma. Similar structures were also apparent in the terminal web region of the 1,25-DHCC-treated enterocytes. Exocytotic vesicles were seen at the apical aspect of the lateral cell membrane, below the level of the junctional complex. All components of this unique system contained high concentrations of calcium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Human immunodeficiency virus infection in cases presenting to the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office.

Serum samples were available from 492 of 1,058 cadavers seen at the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office between August 4 and December 15, 1989. These sera were tested for the presence of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot. The overall prevalence of HIV in the autopsy population was 2.24%. The following populations showed increased prevalence as compared to the total sampled population: blacks (3.60%, p less than 0.01), males (2.51%, n.s.), and homicide victims (3.74%, n.s.). Seroprevalence data from this study are compared with those from earlier studies of other related populations, with regard to overall prevalence and risk factor analysis.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1990

Hibernation activates glyoxylate cycle and gluconeogenesis in black bear brown adipose tissue.

Biochemical studies on brown adipose tissue removed from a hibernating black bear and a non-hibernating control animal demonstrate that this tissue: (1) can carry out cyanide-insensitive fatty acid oxidation, and (2) possesses catalase activity and the enzyme activities unique to the glyoxylate cycle, isocitrate lyase and malate synthase. These activities are all markedly increased in brown fat obtained from the hibernating animal. Additionally, hibernation enhances the ability of the tissue to synthesize glycogen in the presence of a fatty acid substrate. The glyoxylate cycle enzymes and the ability to convert fatty acid carbons to glucose have been generally regarded as being absent from vertebrate cells and tissues.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗
PubMed1990

Identification of glyoxylate cycle enzymes in chick liver--the effect of vitamin D3: cytochemistry and biochemistry.

Information regarding the presence of the glyoxylate cycle in chick liver was sought. This metabolic pathway has long been thought to be absent from vertebrate tissues. Previous studies in other tissues have shown that, when present, this pathway is sensitive to vitamin-D. Thus, the effect of long-term vitamin-D deficiency and subsequent vitamin-D replacement on liver structure was studied by light microscopy. In addition, specific biochemical assays for the presence of glyoxylate cycle enzymes were performed. Light microscopy of lipid extracted tissues, light microscopic histochemistry, and quantitative histochemistry showed that the hepatocytes from vitamin-D-deficient animals contained primarily lipid. Hepatocytes from normal and vitamin-D-replete livers contained primarily carbohydrate as judged by their staining with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). Also, malate synthase positive peroxisomes were seen in hepatocytes from normal and vitamin-D-treated chicks. Structures positive for this glyoxylate cycle enzyme were rarely seen in the hepatocytes from vitamin-D-deficient animals. Biochemical analyses showed the presence of the two unique glyoxylate cycle enzymes, isocitrate lyase and malate synthase, in chick hepatocytes. The activity of these enzymes was markedly increased in the vitamin-D-replete livers. In addition, chick hepatocytes demonstrated the capacity to oxidize fatty acid in the presence of cyanide. This activity, which is characteristic of peroxisomal B-oxidation rather than mitochondrial, was stimulated by vitamin-D treatment. Lastly, incubation of chick liver in the presence of a fatty acid substrate (palmitate) led to higher tissue glycogen content. The latter was further increased in liver from vitamin-D-replete animals. These data show the presence of glyoxylate cycle enzymes in a higher vertebrate and indicate that this tissue is endowed with the capacity to convert lipid to carbohydrate.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Immunolocalization of secretory protein-I or chromogranin A in amphibian urinary bladder granular cell granules.

The presence of secretory protein-I (SP-I) or chromogranin A (CGA) in granules isolated from the granular cells of the amphibian urinary bladder epithelium was investigated using ultraimmunohistochemistry. Granules were isolated by cell fractionation using Percoll density gradients. SP-I was isolated and purified from bovine parathyroid glands. Antibodies were raised in rabbits and purified by affinity chromatography. Ultraimmunocytochemistry, employing the avidin-biotin-peroxidase (ABC-complex) procedure, was used to localize SP-I on thin sections of isolated granules. About 27% of the granules from control (-ADH) cells were SP-I+, while 51% of the granules fractionated from hormone treated (+ADH) cells were positive for this protein (p less than 0.0001). Accordingly, granules from ADH-treated cells also showed a significant (p less than 0.0001) increase in total protein.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Interference by human anti-mouse antibody in two-site immunoassays.

Studies with goat and rabbit anti-mouse antibody, as models of human anti-mouse antibody (HAMA), have shown that several of the commonly used two -site immunoassays (e.g., for CA-125, carcinoembryonic antigen, choriogonadotropin, lutropin, hepatitis B surface antigen, thyrotropin) are susceptible to interference by this type of bridging heterophile antibody. In most cases the interference can be blocked by incubation with mouse IgG. We studied HAMA interference in an assay of hepatitis B surface antigen by using HAMA-positive sera from a transplant patient given OKT3 and from a cancer patient given CYT-103 (modified antibody B72.3). The HAMA interference attributable to the OKT3 could be blocked by incubation with mouse IgG at room temperature. In contrast, the interference caused by the B72.3-induced HAMA could be blocked by prolonged incubation with high concentrations of the B72.3 antibody at 4 degrees C. A limited survey of 50 hospital patients selected without conscious bias revealed two HAMA-positive patients, only one of whom was known to have been exposed to mouse immunoglobulin. HAMA interferences are currently a minor problem in routine laboratory medicine, but the increasing use of diagnostic and therapeutic products involving mouse-origin monoclonal antibodies will make the detection and elimination of HAMA interferences an important part of laboratory practice in the future.

Animals↗