Plasma concentrations of endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis in normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia.
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Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
D Williams
Publications and source records attributed to D Williams.
Hematuria and leptospiruria in a foal.
A Thoroughbred foal that was born after 305 days of gestation was referred 6 hours after birth. On initial examination, the foal was alert, but weak and unable to stand. Heart rate was 150 beats/min, respiratory rate was 48 breaths/min, and rectal temperature was 33 C. Leukocytosis was detected (26,000 WBC/microliters). Dysuria and passage of red urine was observed approximately 30 hours after admission. Urine collected by free catch had a 3+ reaction for blood on dipstick analysis. Examination of Warthin Starry-stained sections of allantochorion revealed organisms morphologically characteristic of leptospira spp along the chorion. Results of direct fluorescent antibody tests on section of placenta were positive for Leptospira spp. Direct fluorescent antibody testing identified leptospires in the urine of the foal. Sera from mare and foal were tested for antibodies against Leptospira spp by use of the microscopic agglutination test. High titers were identified in serum from the mare and foal.
Animals↗
Chronic superficial keratitis.
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Animals↗
Inhibition of c-kit ligand/steel factor by antibodies reduces survival of lethally irradiated mice.
Survival after irradiation with LD100/30 (radiation dose lethal to 100% of mice in 30 days) is based on recovery of impaired hematopoietic function. Our previous studies using antibodies to interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and IL-6 demonstrated that endogenous production of these three cytokines is required for untreated mice as well as mice protected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), IL-1, or TNF to survive lethal irradiation. In this report we show that anti-c-kit ligand/steel factor (SIF) antibody similarly abrogates LPS- and IL-1-induced radioprotection. Furthermore, administration of this antibody to unmanipulated mice increased LD50/30 radiation lethality from 50% to 100%. Such an effect was not obtained using anti-IL-3, anti-IL-4, or anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor antibody. Thus, like IL-1, TNF, and IL-6, SIF is required for survival from lethal irradiation.
Animals↗
MRL mice produce anti-Su autoantibody, a specificity associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Certain autoimmune mouse strains exhibit features similar to human SLE. To discover genetic and immunologic events governing expression of a new SLE-associated antibody, the presence of anti-Su and its relationship to other SLE-related antibodies (anti-Sm, -ribonucleoprotein, -Ro (SS-A), -La (SS-B)) were determined in MRL and other autoimmune and nonautoimmune mice. By double immunodiffusion, sera from 34/183 (19%) 4- to 10-mo-old MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) and 28/108 (26%) 8- to 20-mo-old MRL/Mp(-)+/+ (MRL/+) mice were positive for anti-Su antibodies. Anti-Sm antibodies were found in 60/183 (33%) and 39/108 (36%) of these animals, respectively. The two specificities were found together in individual mice more frequently than would be predicted by chance. In contrast, C57BL/6-lpr/lpr (B6/lpr) mice rarely showed either specificity. Analysis of F1 hybrids between B6/lpr and MRL/lpr and of F1 x MRL/lpr backcross mice suggested that a small number of autosomal recessive genes controlled the anti-Su and anti-Sm responses. With the exception of a single NZB serum sample, NZB, BXSB, and nonautoimmune mice were negative for all antibodies tested, and no mice were positive for anti-RNP, anti-Ro, or anti-La. MRL/lpr and MRL/+ autoimmune mice thus provide unique models for human SLE, because they express several of the SLE-specific marker autoantibodies. These models should be useful in disclosing molecular and immunologic events governing autoantibody expression in this condition.
Animals↗
Terminal acute myelogenous leukemia in a patient with congenital agranulocytosis.
Congenital agranulocytosis terminating in acute myelogenous leukemia has been previously reported in only two cases of adolescent males. We describe the clinical and laboratory features of a 13-year-old male with congenital agranulocytosis, treated with G-CSF with initial good neutrophil response, who subsequently developed acute myeloid leukemia. This rare complication may define a preleukemic subset of patients for whom G-CSF therapy is ineffective. The diagnostic challenges of this case are presented.
Adolescent↗
The earliest histopathological response to hypobaric hypoxia in rabbits in the Rifugio Torino (3370 M) on Monte Bianco.
Twelve Dutch rabbits were kept on Monte Bianco at an altitude of 3370 m. Half of the animals were killed after 3 months, the remainder after 6 months, and a further six animals maintained at sea-level acted as controls. The carotid bodies of all the rabbits were processed for light and electron microscopy and examined qualitatively and quantitatively. The lungs were processed for light microscopical assessment of small pulmonary arterial vessels; the thickness of the pulmonary trunks and aortas were measured; and the hearts were dissected to obtain ratios of the ventricular weight. There was a slight increase in the right ventricular weight in the hypoxic rabbits but no change in the thickness of the pulmonary trunk compared with that of the aorta. In particular, there was no hypoxic remodelling of the pulmonary vasculature such as muscularization of pulmonary arterioles or intimal longitudinal muscle in pulmonary arteries. The earliest histopathological response to hypoxia occurred in the carotid bodies in the form of an increase in the count of the dark variant of chief cell after 3 months which returned to normal after 6 months. It is concluded that the carotid body of the rabbit responds with a change in its population of dark chief cells to a level of hypoxia which is insufficient to affect the pulmonary arterioles. Changes in the cardiopulmonary system can no longer be considered to be the earliest histopathological response to hypobaric hypoxia.
Altitude↗
Comparison of cycle outcome for gamete intrafallopian transfer alone and in combination with intrauterine embryo transfer.
As an alternative to embryo cryopreservation, the efficacy of intrauterine transcervical transfer of a small number of embryos resulting from fertilization of supernumerary oocytes obtained during a GIFT cycle (GIFT-ET) was assessed in this investigation. Data from 72 consecutive GIFT (N = 27) and GIFT-ET (N = 45) cycles were retrospectively reviewed. Age and infertility diagnoses were similar among the two groups. Clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, and abortion rates per retrieval were not significantly different between the two groups. We conclude that GIFT-ET offers no advantage over GIFT alone and that cryopreservation of all supernumerary embryos with intrauterine transfer in subsequent cycles would maximize pregnancy rates from a single oocyte aspiration and GIFT procedure.
Adult↗
The free androgen index is not valid for adult males.
The Free Androgen Index (FAI) was initially proposed as a measure for assessing the circulating testosterone availability in female hirsutism. The extension of its use, by a number of investigators, to males has not been formally justified. An analysis of its derivation from the Law of Mass Action reveals an implied assumption that the binding capacity of sex hormone binding globulin should greatly exceed the concentration of its ligand testosterone. This does not hold in adult males for whom the use of FAI is therefore inappropriate. A comparison of FAI and free-testosterone (determined by centrifugal ultrafiltration) yielded a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.858 for 20 adult females but only 0.435 for 19 adult males.
Androgens↗
An MboI RFLP in the human erythrocyte surface protein band 3-like 1 gene (EPB3L1) on chromosome 7q35-7q36.
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Alleles↗
Tachyphylaxis in cardiovascular responses to cocaine in conscious rats.
Tachyphylaxis has been shown to occur in human cardiovascular responses to cocaine. The present study was designed to establish a response curve for cardiovascular parameters in conscious, chronically instrumented rats and to investigate the degree of tachyphylaxis occurring in these parameters after repeated doses of cocaine. Cardiovascular parameters evaluated included arterial pressure, heart rate (HR), and electrocardiogram (ECG). Administration of low doses (0.0625 mg/kg) of cocaine caused significant increases in arterial pressure. Changes in HR accompanying intravenous (i.v.) cocaine were usually biphasic, characterized by an initial reflex bradycardia, followed by a secondary tachycardia lasting several minutes. Tachyphylaxis was observed in the cardiovascular responses when cocaine was administered repetitively at 5-min intervals. This tachyphylaxis was not apparent when the interval between cocaine infusions was extended to 2 h. The mechanism responsible for the tachyphylaxis is hypothesized to be mediated by the presynaptic alpha 2-receptors. Conscious animals were very sensitive to i.v. cocaine administration, and tachyphylaxis to repeated cocaine administration was observed. Both observations must be considered when interpreting cardiovascular studies using cocaine.
Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
Screening a state middle school for asthma using the free running asthma screening test.
The free running asthma screening test (FRAST) was used to screen children in a state middle school during a normal physical education lesson. The test was conducted by the teachers with a general practitioner available via a radiopager. Of the 249 children attending the school, aged 8-12 years, 237 (95%) were tested. Twenty two (9%) children were known to have asthma, of whom 18 were tested. Thirty one children had a significant decrease (> 15%) in their peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) after exercise. Six of these children were known to have asthma, indicating that their asthma treatment may be suboptimal. A further six children assessed clinically had false positive results. The 31 children with significant decreases in their PEFR were matched for age and sex with a control group of 30 children who were considered to have a normal result. Of the control group, one child had clinical asthma. In total, 19 (8%) new cases of asthma were identified, giving an overall prevalence of asthma in the school of 16%. These results indicate that it is feasible to screen schools for asthma using the FRAST. Children with undiagnosed asthma can be identified and the control of children with known asthma monitored.
Asthma↗
Pulmonary endocrine cells of Aymara Indians from the Bolivian Andes.
INTRODUCTION: There is evidence to suggest that life at high altitude causes changes in the population of pulmonary endocrine cells, possibly because of exposure to chronic hypoxia. A study was made of the populations of pulmonary endocrine cells in three Aymara Indians and three Mestizos of La Paz (3600 m), Bolivia, which were compared with those in four white lowlanders. METHODS: Pulmonary endocrine cells were immunolabelled for neurone specific enolase and their two major secretory products, gastrin releasing peptide and calcitonin, and their numbers expressed per cm2 of tissue section. RESULTS: No differences in morphology, number, content, or distribution of immunoreactive cells were found when the native highlanders were compared with the lowlanders. CONCLUSIONS: If chronic hypoxia as such exerts an influence on human pulmonary endocrine cells it was not apparent in this morphological study. There was no increase in gastrin releasing peptide containing pulmonary endocrine cells, such as have previously been seen in patients with pulmonary hypertension characterised by plexogenic pulmonary arteriopathy. This may be due to the fact that in plexogenic pulmonary arteriopathy there is free migration of smooth muscle cells. Although three of the highlanders in this present study showed pulmonary vascular remodelling, this was in contrast only modest.
Adolescent↗
Arachnoid nodules in the lungs of high altitude Indians.
BACKGROUND: Nodules of cells showing a striking histological similarity to those of arachnoid villi have previously been found closely adjacent to pulmonary venules in several diseases associated with alveolar hypoxia or pulmonary oedema including mitral stenosis, plexogenic pulmonary arteriopathy, pulmonary thromboembolism, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: Histological sections of the lungs of seven adult native highlanders from La Paz (3600 m) were examined. RESULTS: Arachnoid nodules were found in the lungs of one Aymara and one Mestizo Indian. CONCLUSIONS: These bodies may have a similar function to that of arachnoid granulations which transfer excess cerebrospinal fluid to the dural venous sinuses. In the native highlanders it is possible that they contribute to the avoidance of excessive hydration of the interstitial tissue of the alveolar walls with return of fluid into the pulmonary venules, preventing incipient pulmonary oedema.
Adolescent↗
Responses of the human esophagus to experimental intraluminal distension.
Contractile and propulsive forces generated in response to intraluminal distension of the human esophagus were measured in 30 volunteers with the use of a novel intraluminal catheter assembly. Distension was achieved by graded inflation of a balloon for periods of 30 s using volumes of air varying between 0 and 12 ml. In the lower esophagus, distension above a threshold volume of 5 (3-10) ml (median and interquartile range) induced a traction force together with contractile activity proximal to the balloon and quiescence distally. Proximal contractile activity and aboral traction force increased with increasing inflation volume, the magnitude of the response being additionally dependent on the site and the length of esophageal wall stimulated. Although the threshold for induction of motor responses was similar at different distension sites, the magnitude of both contractile and traction responses was higher in the distal than in the midesophagus. In the upper esophagus, the contractions induced proximal to the distension propagated aborally, whereas in the lower esophagus nonpropagating proximal contractions were induced. With the use of a dual balloon technique, it was possible to demonstrate that the distal quiescence represented a true descending inhibitory response since inflation of a proximal balloon suppressed the contractile response induced by a distal balloon. These results thus provide a description of the human esophageal response to distension against which responses in disease states can be compared.
Adolescent↗
Effect of acute and chronic hyponatremia on brain buffering in rats.
The present studies evaluated whether previously observed impairments in brain buffering during acute hyponatremia were maintained during chronic hyponatremia as well and whether the impairment was due in part to changes in brain water, brain perfusion, or activation of arginine vasopressin (AVP) V1 receptors. Acute (1 and 2 day) and chronic (7 and 14 day) hyponatremia was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by constant desmopressin administration in combination with a liquid diet. Brain pH was determined by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in rats anesthetized with N2O and paralyzed with pancuronium. Brain buffering was evaluated by the response to CO2 loading, and brain perfusion was evaluated by 19F-NMR using trifluoromethane washout. Compared with normonatremic controls fed the same diet, brain pH in both acute and chronic hyponatremics was 0.12 pH units lower after 55 min ventilation with 20% CO2 despite identical decreases of approximately 0.35 units in all groups during the first 15 min. Moreover, in the recovery period brain pH overshot basal levels only in normonatremic controls. Brain water content in chronic hyponatremic rats was equal to controls, and brain perfusion was identical in the five groups during CO2 exposure. These results are analogous to those reported during acute hyponatremia induced with AVP and show that the impairment of active brain buffering is maintained during chronic hyponatremia and is unrelated to brain water content, perfusion, tissue catabolism, or AVP V1 receptor activation.
Acute Disease↗
Attachment histories for people with characteristics of self-defeating personality.
Correlations of undergraduates' responses (79 men, 79 women) to the Self-defeating Personality Scale and Gough and Heilbrun's Adjective Check List indicated people who had more characteristics of self-defeating personality were more likely to recall ambivalent and avoidant attachment histories regarding their mothers. There was a tendency for men to recall avoidant attachment histories for fathers as well. These results lend some support to Glickhauf-Hughes and Wells who in 1991 contended being reared in an unpredictable environment by parents who are ambivalent contributes to the development of self-defeating personality. The rs suggest these characteristics are related to cold and rejecting parenting as well.
Adult↗