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Biomedical subjects

D L Brown

Publications and source records attributed to D L Brown.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Longitudinal study of circulating immune complexes in a patient with Staphylococcus albus-induced shunt nephritis.

The direct measurement and partial characterization of circulating immune complexes has been performed in a longitudinal study of a patient with Staphylococcus albus-induced shunt nephritis. The high levels of immune complexes were associated with cryoglobulinaemia and hypocomplementaemia. The activation of complement was found to be via the classical pathway, but the functioning of the alternative pathway may have been impaired in vivo due to very low levels of C3. The host response to the infection was also characterized by the production of a marked macroglobulinaemia, high titres of rheumatoid factor and a typical acute phase increase in the C-reactive protein level. Immune complex levels were persistently elevated many months after the removal of the focus of the infection. A possible explanation for this surprising finding may lie in the nature of the antigens in the immune complexes. It was found that the immune complexes contained both antibodies to and antigens from Staphlococcus albus. In particular, glycerol teichoic acid and staphylococcal nuclease were identified as components of the immune complexes present during the acute phase. Glycerol teichoic acid was also identified in the immune complexes found later although other Staphylococcus albus antigens as yet unidentified were also present and persisted in the circulation for several months.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Comparison of mutagenicity, antitumor activity, and chemical properties of selected nitrosoureas and nitrosoamides.

A number of nitrosoureas and nitrosoamides have been compared with respect to mutagenicity for Salmonella typhimurium, in vitro cytotoxicity, in vivo toxicity and antitumor activity against murine L1210 leukemia, and chemical properties. Despite chemical similarities between the nitrosoureas and nitrosoamides, they show important differences in biological activity. Some of the nitrosoureas are very active antitumor agents, and they are less mutagenic than are the corresponding nitrosoamides, which lack antitumor activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

A longitudinal study of circulating immune complexes, dna antibodies and complement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: an analysis of their relationship to disease activity.

The relationship between immune complex, DNA binding and complement levels and disease activity was studied in twenty-seven patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Detailed longitudinal studies revealed a good correlation between immune complex levels and disease activity. In addition, a good correlation was obtained, in general, between immune complex and DNA binding values, and an inverse correlation between these values and the haemolytic activity of C1, C2 and C4. CH50 and C3 measurements, on the other hand, were found to be less consistent at reflecting short term fluctuations in disease activity. Statistical analysis of IC, DNA binding and complement values revealed a higher incidence and mean value of immune complexex in active disease compared with inactive disease. These high levels of immune complexes were associated with elevated values of DNA binding and low values of CH50 and C3. The highest values of immune complexes were found in samples with concomitantly abnormal values of DNA binding, CH50 and C3. It is concluded that the measurement of immune complexes in SLE patients is a useful procedure, not only in aiding diagnosis, but also in monitoring disease activity and response to therapy. The results also indicate that serial studies of immune complexes, DNA binding and complement can be of value in the long term management of individual patients.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1978

The social work role in hospital discharge planning: an administrative case history.

This paper examines the historic and contemporary commitment of social work to discharge planning in the context of current threats from external systems as well as dilemmas within the profession. Through the examination of events in one hospital, the authors identify legislative and fiscal trends and place the social work role with its specific skills and knowledge at the forefront of the planning process. Finally, there is a discussion of crucial developments and implications for directions and for needed professional growth.

Hospital Departments↗
PubMed1978

Health status among low-income elderly persons: rural-urban differences.

This research compares the health status of low-income elderly persons in rural and urban areas. Using data from the Social Security Administration's 1973 national survey of low-income aged and disabled, the study demonstrates that the prevalence of many chronic disorders and impairments is significantly greater among the rural aged than for their cohorts in more urban areas. These differences persist after controls for age, sex, and race are introduced. No significant differences between rural and urban elderly were apparent in the utilization of health services. The determinants of chronic health status of the elderly have already occurred, by and large, and an explanation of disorders and impairments cannot be found by examining current sociodemographic status. Such an explanation is contained in the accumulated effects of years of residence in differing social, economic, and physical environments.

Aged↗
PubMed1977

Palindromic rheumatism. Clinical and serum complement study.

A review of 39 patients diagnosed as suffering from palindromic rheumatism showed that 17 cases had evolved into typical rheumatoid arthritis (RA), while 22 had remained palindromic. The pattern of palindromic attacks in the two groups gave no grounds for regarding palindromic rheumatism as a separate condition from RA with palindromic onset. At the first attendance minor clinical or radiological changes, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and positive serology were more common along those patients who were about to develop the picture of RA. Rheumatoid disease developing in patients with a palindromic onset was at least as severe as that among other patients with RA. 5 patients gave a history suggestive of fluid retention during the palindromic episodes, suggesting that attacks might be related to circulating immune complexes and altered vascular permeability. However, samples of blood obtained from 6 patients both during and between attacks showed no reduction in any of a variety of complement components tested.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Cytoplasmic microtubule organizing centers isolated from Polytomella agilis.

Basal body rootlets in Polytomella function as organizing centers for cytoplasmic microtbules in vivo. A method is described to isolate intact basal body-rootlet complexes. The integrity of the isolated complexes is confirmed by electron microscopy, and the rootlets are shown to be competent as initiation sites for the in vitro polymerization of brain microtubule protein.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Organization of the flagellar apparatus and associate cytoplasmic microtubules in the quadriflagellate alga Polytomella agilis.

The organization of microtubular systems in the quadriflagellate unicell Polytomella agilis has been reconstructed by electron microscopy of serial sections, and the overall arrangement confirmed by immunofluorescent staining using antiserum directed against chick brain tubulin. The basal bodies of the four flagella are shown to be linked in two pairs of short fibers. Light microscopy of swimming cells indicates that the flagella beat in two synchronous pairs, with each pair exhibiting a breast-stroke-like motion. Two structurally distinct flagellar rootlets, one consisting of four microtubules in a 3 over 1 pattern and the other of a striated fiber over two microtubules, terminate between adjacent basal bodies. These rootlets diverge from the basal body region and extend toward the cell posterior, passing just beneath the plasma membrane. Near the anterior part of the cell, all eight rootlets serve as attachment sites for large numbers of cytoplasmic microtubules which occur in a single row around the circumference of the cell and closely parallel the cell shape. It is suggested that the flagellar rootless may function in controlling the patterning and the direction of cytoplasmic microtubule assembly. The occurrence of similar rootlet structures in other flagellates is briefly reviewed.

Cell Membrane↗