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Biomedical subjects

E B Smith

Publications and source records attributed to E B Smith.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Fibrinolysis and plasminogen concentration in aortic intima in relation to death following myocardial infarction.

In samples of human aortic intima fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) were assayed by isoelectric focussing/immunoelectrophoresis as a possible measure of endogenous fibrinolysis, and plasminogen concentration was assayed by rocket immunoelectrophoresis as a possible marker for fibrinolytic potential. No consistent differences were found between normal intima and different types of atherosclerotic lesion, but there was marked variation between patients, and multiple samples from the same aorta showed similar levels. There was no significant correlation with age, sex, or time after death. Low concentrations of FDP and failure to recover measureable amounts of plasminogen from intima were highly associated with death in patients who had suffered a recent myocardial infarction. In aortas from which 3 or more samples of intima and lesions were obtained (n = 16), no FDP were found in 3 (total of 12 samples); all of these were from patients who died following myocardial infarction. Low levels were present in the 4th patient with myocardial infarction. No plasminogen was found in 10 of 11 aortas from patients dying after myocardial infarction (total of 46 samples with no plasminogen), but it was present in 10 of 17 aortas from patients dying of other causes (X2 = 7.6, P less than 0.01). Where both were assayed, FDP were not found in any samples which did not contain plasminogen. Low levels of FDP and absence of plasminogen were associated with increased involvement with atherosclerosis. There was no relation between intimal and serum plasminogen levels, and prothrombin and low density lipoprotein were present in all samples from which no plasminogen was recovered. The results indicate that in some patients, particularly those dying after myocardial infarction, there is decreased fibrinolysis and fibrinolytic potential in the arterial intima, and this may result in increased intimal accumulation of fibrin.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Renal metastases of malignant gestational trophoblastic disease: the use of intravenous urography in staging.

Intravenous urography (IVU) was performed in 289 patients at the time of diagnosis of malignant gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). Ninety-five percent of these studies were normal, and none of the urologic abnormalities detected provoked alteration of the patients' tumor-related therapy. In the detection of renal metastases, false-positive and false-negative intravenous urograms were encountered. It is concluded that IVU lacks sufficient sensitivity and specificity in the detection of renal metastatic GTD; alternate screening methods are recommended.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1985

Leiomyosarcoma of the uterus: clinicopathologic study of 21 cases.

A detailed clinicopathologic study of 21 patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma was undertaken. The diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma was made for those uterine smooth muscle tumors showing cellular atypia and 5-9 mitoses per 10 high-powered fields (M/10 HPF) and those with 10 or more M/10 HPF. Using these strict pathologic criteria to define leiomyosarcoma, menopausal status, margin type (pushing vs infiltrating), tumor size, grade, location, and the presence of vascular invasion and/or hemorrhage were not associated with prognosis. The 5-year survival rate was 25%. Survival rates were not improved by the use of adjuvant chemotherapy in those patients rendered free of gross disease by initial surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Caripito itch: dermatitis from contact with Hylesia moths.

Caripito itch, a pruritic dermatosis rarely seen in the United States, is caused by contact with moths of the genus Hylesia--specifically, with urticating abdominal hairs of the adult female moth. The purpose of this study was to investigate an outbreak of Caripito itch that occurred in thirty-four of thirty-five crew members of a British oil tanker who were exposed to Hylesia moths at the port of Caripito, Venezuela. Methods of investigation included general history and physical examination of all crew members, complete inspection of the ship, transparent-tape slide preparations from involved skin, cutaneous histopathologic studies, and entomologic examination of the moths. The patients had a typical papulourticarial eruption, primarily on exposed surfaces. Although Hylesia moths do not occur in the United States, primary care physicians and dermatologists, especially those located in port cities, should be aware of cutaneous lepidopterism caused by Hylesia moths.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Carcinoma of the esophagus in blacks.

The incidence of esophageal carcinoma in the United States in white males is 6 per 100,000, compared with 20 per 100,000 in black males. The average 5-year survival for both groups is 5 percent. This study is a comprehensive analysis of esophageal carcinoma in blacks in the Pittsburgh area from 1957 to 1982. Family history, sex, age, ethnic background, social history, occupation, educational level, symptoms and signs, diagnosis, histopathology, cancer staging, treatment, and survival are reviewed. This information may expand our knowledge of esophageal cancers in blacks as well as all patients afflicted with this dreadful disease.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1984

A VP16-213- and cisplatin-containing regimen for treatment of refractory ovarian germ cell malignancies.

Chemotherapy with VP16-213 and cisplatin was administered to three patients with ovarian germ cell malignancies resistant to chemotherapy with methotrexate, actinomycin D, and chlorambucil and with vinblastine, bleomycin, and cisplatin. Remission was achieved in all patients and has been sustained for 9 to 50 months. Use of these agents in a salvage regimen for resistant germ cell malignancies is recommended.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Human chorionic gonadotropin levels in complete and partial hydatidiform moles and in nonmolar abortuses.

The rates of regression of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in patients with complete hydatidiform moles, partial hydatidiform moles, and nonmolar abortions were compared. No difference in rates of regression was found among the three groups, but levels of hCG immediately after uterine evacuation were significantly higher in the group with complete hydatidiform moles. Differences in the time required for hCG levels to become undetectable were attributed to the difference in the degree of initial elevation of hCG.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1984

The biological effects of high pressures: underlying principles.

Physico-chemical principles set constraints on the response of biological systems to high-pressure gases and to pressure per se. They also indicate the mechanisms that may be involved. Classical thermodynamics, intermolecular forces and the theory of solutions and many other areas of physical chemistry have contributed to our understanding of the problems faced by divers breathing gases at high pressure, in particular the high pressure neurological syndrome, inert gas narcosis and decompression sickness. The value and the limitations of physico-chemical arguments when applied to the problems of underwater physiology are analysed.

Atmospheric Pressure↗
PubMed1984

Topical erythromycin v clindamycin therapy for acne. A multicenter, double-blind comparison.

The efficacy and safety of topical 1.5% erythromycin solution and 1% clindamycin phosphate solution were compared in the treatment of acne. The number of inflammatory lesions was significantly reduced at 12 weeks by 62% and 59% and the number of noninflammatory lesions by 43% and 39% in the erythromycin and clindamycin groups, respectively. The reduction in lesions was also reflected in the clinical evaluation of the overall facial condition; 73% of the 74 patients treated with erythromycin solution and 62% of the 80 patients treated with clindamycin solution had excellent or good responses at 12 weeks. The results of this study show that topically applied 1.5% erythromycin and 1.0% clindamycin solutions are both effective and comparable in reducing the clinical manifestation of acne in patients with moderate disease.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1984

Crotamiton lotion in pruritus.

The authors studied the antipruritic effects of 10% crotamiton lotion in 31 patients with bilaterally symmetrical pruritic dermatoses. In this double-blind, paired-comparison clinical trial, there was no significant difference in relief of pruritus between the crotamiton lotion and its vehicle. The study does not confirm the results of previous uncontrolled studies indicating that crotamiton has an antipruritic effect.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1984

beta 2- and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors and receptor coupling to adenylate cyclase in human mononuclear leukocytes and platelets in relation to physiological variations of sex steroids.

In view of evidence, largely in animals, indicating effects of sex steroids on adrenergic receptors, we measured mononuclear leukocyte (MNL) beta 2-adrenergic receptors and adenylate cyclase sensitivity to stimulation by isoproterenol as well as platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptors and sensitivity of sodium fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclase to inhibition by epinephrine in 3 groups of normal humans with physiologically disparate levels of testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone (10 normal men and 10 normal women, the latter sampled in both the follicular and luteal phases of their menstrual cycles). Differences in testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone were as expected; testosterone levels were 10-fold higher in men, and progesterone levels were 20-fold higher in luteal phase women. T4, cortisol , and norepinephrine levels did not differ. Basal plasma epinephrine concentrations were slightly but significantly higher in luteal phase women [34 +/- 5 (+/-SE) pg/ml] than in follicular phase women (16 +/- 3 pg/ml; P less than 0.01) or men (20 +/- 3 pg/ml; P less than 0.05). There were no significant differences among these 3 groups in the densities or affinities of MNL beta 2-adrenergic or platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptors or in the corresponding MNL and platelet adenylate cyclase sensitivities. Thus, there is not a generalized effect of physiological variations of testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone on adrenergic receptors or adenylate cyclase. To the extent that the adrenergic receptors and adenylate cyclase activities of circulating cells reflect those of extravascular catecholamine target cells, these data provide no support for a role of physiological variations of testosterone, estradiol, or progesterone in the regulation of catecholamine action in humans.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1984

Anaerobic infections in surgery.

Basic principles of anaerobic surgical infections are presented briefly and practical concepts are elucidated to improve the total surgical care of patients in all surgical disciplines.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗
PubMed1984

Primary cancer of the gallbladder: a concept for improvement.

A sample of the experiences of three representative hospitals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with cancer of the gallbladder substantiates the poor prognosis of the disease. The author's attitude, however, is optimistic. Patients and professionals are obligated to improve their approach to prophylaxis, early diagnosis, and the institution of effective and adequate surgical therapy with follow-up.

Gallbladder Neoplasms↗
PubMed1983

Low-density lipoprotein concentration in interstitial fluid from human atherosclerotic lesions. Relation to theories of endothelial damage and lipoprotein binding.

Increased endothelial permeability to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is believed to be an initiating factor for atherosclerotic lesions. Concentrations of LDL, alpha 2-macroglobulin and albumin were measured by immunoassay in interstitial fluid collected from normal intima and atherosclerotic lesions of human aortas. The concentration of LDL in interstitial fluid from normal intima was twice the concentration in the patient's serum. In early proliferative (gelatinous) lesions the amount of interstitial fluid was consistently increased but its LDL concentration varied between 80 and 200% of adjacent normal intima. Highest concentrations of LDL were found in interstitial fluid from more advanced proliferative lesions, but the amount was reduced, suggesting a shift in tissue water. LDL was consistently low in interstitial fluid from fatty streaks comprised of lipid-filled cells, and in four of 12 lesions it was absent although alpha 2-macroglobulin and albumin concentrations were normal. Electrophoretic mobility of LDL, reflecting surface charge, was unchanged or increased in interstitial fluid from normal intima and fatty streaks, but decreased in gelatinous lesions. The ratio of LDL to alpha 2-macroglobulin and albumin in interstitial fluid was higher than in adjacent intact tissue. The results do not support the idea that increased endothelial permeability to LDL initiates atherogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Specificity of the suppressor cell activity of intestinal lymphocytes.

Experiments were designed to examine the functional characteristics of lymphocytes harvested from the human intestine. Lymphocytes were harvested from the intestines of patients undergoing intestinal resection for a variety of gut disorders. The mitogenic and allogeneic responses of gut lymphocytes were found to be comparable with the response of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Intestinal suppressor cell activity was found to be more specific against other intestinal lymphocytes than peripheral mononuclear cells. The regulation of the intestinal immune response in various bowel disorders may be determined at a local level to a greater degree than had been previously appreciated.

Antibody Specificity↗