Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Bell

Publications and source records attributed to E Bell.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

[Accuracy of liver scintigraphy in focal liver disease; a comparison with postmortem studies in 159 cases (author's transl)].

In recent literature numerous papers have been published concerning the accuracy of scintigraphic detection of liver metastases. Unfortunately however, the problem of false positive results is not particularly discussed in these papers. Because of the lack of information it was our aim to compare our own scintigraphic results with postmortem histopathological findings. Our investigations were carried out in 139 patients with various types of malignancy. Included in the investigations were 20 patients with primary liver tumor. The interval between scintigraphic examination and the histological verification ranged from 3 days to 1 year. In 62 of the patients with liver metastases, histopathology revealed liver metastases, while 77 patients showed no liver involvement. We arrived at the correct diagnosis "liver metastasis" in 50 out of 62 patients (80.6%). False negative scintigrams (19.4%) were found in most of the respective cases when diffuse malignant involvement such as leukemia and Hodgkin's disease was present, and also when the size of the metastases was less than 2 cm in diameter. Fifty six out of 77 patients (72.7%) without histopathological evidence of liver metastases revealed negative scintigrams. Twenty one (27.3%) false positive scintigrams were mostly due to (diffuse) nonmalignant disease e.g. fibrosis and cirrhosis. The overall accuracy of liver scintigraphy in our study was 76.2%. In 18 of 20 (90%) patients with focal liver disease correct diagnosis was established. 7 patients with benign liver tumors and 11 of 13 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma showed focal defects. Considering the fact that liver scintigraphy is a non-invasive procedure, it can be recommended as screening method. In connection with sonography and computer tomography liver scintigraphy can undoubtedly improve the diagnostic accuracy in detecting liver metastases and primary liver tumors.

Autopsy↗

[Morphological and functional evaluation criteria of hepatobiliary functional scintigraphy with 99mTc-diethyl-IDA in hepatocellular jaundice].

In 31 patients with histologically proven hepatocellular jaundice hepatobiliary scintigraphy with Tc-99m labelled IDA derivatives was performed. Results were classified under morphological (demonstration of liver parenchyma, ductus choledochus, bile ducts, gallbladder, kidney) and functional (Tmax, half time of bile excretion, appearance of activity in ductus choledochus, gallbladder, and intestines) criteria. The liver parenchyma could be demonstrated in 90.3% of cases, ductus choledochus in 71%, and the gallbladder in 72.4%. The type of tracer excretion into the intestines showed 9.5% activity accumulation in the gallbladder with late bile excretion into the intestines and 90.5% early activity excretion into the duodenum with late filling of the gallbladder. The intrahepatic bile ducts were demonstrated in 22.6% (left hepatic duct) and 6.5% (right hepatic duct). In 35.5% of cases the kidneys were still visible after 15 min p.i. All cases showed - sometimes delayed - bile excretion into the GI tract. The time of appearance of activity in ductus choledochus (18.4 min) and gallbladder (39.5 min) was delayed. The liver histogram showed likewise delayed values concerning Tmax (14.3 min) and half life of tracer excretion (greater than 30 min) when compared to controls. The differentiation of hepatocellular jaundice from obstructive jaundice is possible by the demonstration of bile excretion into the intestines, normal width of the bile ducts, and filling of the gallbladder.

Adult↗

[The normal liver-spleen scintigram with the gamma camera (author's transl)].

In 104 patients without liver disease, liver spleen scintigrams were analysed according to uniform criteria. The scintigrams were taken after application of 99mTc-sulfur colloid in at least six projections with the gamma camera and coupled data processing. As a significant difference compared to scanner scintigraphy, a non-homogeneous storage pattern is frequently also found in the healthy liver, especially in the ventral projection. Superimpositions or impressions caused by extra- or intrahepatic structures were also more frequent and more pronounced than with scanner scintigraphy. As expected, there were no appreciable differences with regard to the liver forms. The following quantitative parameters were determined (mean +/- SD): maximum vertical diameter of the liver: 199 +/- 20.0 mm, maximum horizontal diameter: 219 +/- 19.8 mm; liver area (ventral projection): 187 +/- 27.3 cm2; spleen area (dorsal projection): 55.3 +/- 15.9 cm2; index of liver size (liver area divided by the normal weight of the patient as determined from a given table): mean +/- SD = 2.69 +/- 0.58 (ventral projection); spleen area index (spleen area divded by body surface): mean = 3.03 +/- 0.81 (dorsal projection). The choice of projection did not have any appreciable effect on the area dimensions and indices, so that with super-imposition of organs these values can be determined with sufficient accuracy even from oblique projections.

Adult↗

Loss of division potential in vitro: aging or differentiation?

We have examined the hypothesis that diploid cells grown in vitro age, and propose that only proliferative potential and not life-span is telescoped. We suggest that explanted or transplanted diploid cells are driven to divide by the process of subculturing in vitro or in vivo and, in response to this pressure, also complete their differentiation and become refractory to further mitotic stimulation. We conclude that differentiation rather than "mortality" distinguishes diploid from transformed cells and that the former may not age in vitro, but are lost because culture methods are selective for cycling cells.

Cell Cycle↗

Intestinal apoproteins during fat absorption.

To compare the roles of apolipoprotein (Apo) A-I, B, and E (or arginine-rich apoprotein, ARP) in the intracellular production of intestinal chylomicrons (and/or VLDL), these apoproteins were localized in rat intestinal mucosa by the light microscope method of indirect immunofluorescence. In addition, tissue levels of ApoA-I and ApoB were measured during fat absorption by radioimmunoassay. Antisera were produced using ApoA-I isolated from rat plasma high density lipoprotein, and ApoB and ARP from plasma VLDL by column chromatography. The apoproteins yielded single bands on polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis in urea and in sodium dodecyl sulfate. Anti-apoprotein antisera were produced in rabbits. These antisera appeared to be monospecific on double-antibody immunoprecipitation of 125I-labeled apoproteins. In fasted animals granular staining of ApoA-I was noted in the supranuclear (Golgi) regions of epithelial cells in the top third of the villus. At 30 min, when fat droplets were seen in the supranuclear cytoplasm of the cells along the top two-thirds of the villus, intense ApoA-I staining surrounded droplets in the cytoplasm. At later times when epithelial cells and lamina propria both contained fat droplets, bright ApoA-I stain surrounded many droplets in the supranuclear cytoplasm of cells and in the lamina propria. Over the same period of time, tissue levels of ApoA-I rose 10-fold. The distribution and time-course of ApoB staining was nearly identical with that of ApoA-I. Concomitantly, tissue ApoB levels doubled. By contrast, in fasting rat intestine, staining of ARP was sparse, punctate, and confined to the lower quarter of the villus. After fat feeding, stained droplets were seen only in the lamina propria near the base of the villus even though abundant ARP was found in cells along most of this length of the villus. Stain was never seen to surround any droplets inside cells. Thus, ApoA-I and ApoB appeared to participate in the intracellular assemply of lipoproteins in gut, whereas ARP did not, although ARP was found within mucosal cells. Liver and intestine differed in their stainable contents of ApoA-I and ARP. Whereas intestine stained heavily for ApoA-I and lightly for ARP, liver stained heavily for ARP and lightly for ApoA-I. Both organs stained for ApoB. These findings suggest that there may be some quantitative "specialization" of the two organs which secrete lipoproteins.

Animals↗

The prevalence of HLA-B12 and HLA-B7 antigens in primary open-angle glaucoma.

HLA-B12 antigen was found in 50% and HLA-B7 was present in 49% of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Either one of the antigens B12 or B7 was noted in 88% of such glaucoma patients. The prevalences of B12, B7, or of either antigen were much greater in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma than in the general population or in patients with normal intraocular pressure. The prevalences in patients with ocular hypertension (IOP greater than 20 mm Hg) were intermediate between the ocular normotensives and the patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. The close association between HLA-B12 and HLA-B7 and primary open-angle glaucoma suggested immunologic components of the disease and possible convenient genetic markers.

Glaucoma↗

Hand skill measurement: a gauge for treatment.

Objective measurements of performance are vital with the increasing necessity to justify the need for occupational therapy services, and to conduct studies that measure the effectiveness of treatment procedures. This paper reports on a measurement of hand skill that was standardized by comparing hand skill performance among the able-bodied, or normal, population. The performance on this test o patients with various types of disabilities and the implications for treatment are discussed. For the paraplegic, the hand skill test indicates the need for occupational therapy services; for the quadriplegic, the test measures the effectiveness of functional orthotic devices; and for the hemiplegic, the hand skill test determines the potential for success in one aspect of self-care, dressing.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Community placements.

A pilot study at Queen's University on the use of community facilities for undergraduate clinical training is described. The objectives of this project were to provide broadening experiences for students outside the institutional model, and to increase the number of available placements. From both the faculty and student points of view, the project is considered a success and is being expanded. The authors suggest that the future therapist must be prepared for community practice and recommend the inclusion of similar experiences in all undergraduate occupational therapy programmes.

Community Health Services↗

PH measurement problems affecting assay of carcinoembryonic antigen.

Measurments with combination pH electrodes of the pH of the dilute buffers used in a commercial kit (CEA-Roche) for assay of carcinoembryonic antigen resulted in pH values 0.1 to 0.3 unit lower than pH values measured on an electrode system with a capillary junction. If the pH values of these buffers were adjusted, based on such measurements, an error in the assay of 0.2 to 0.6 ng/ml in the 1.5-3.0 ng/ml range would result. We recommend that the pH of dialyzed samples and of the working ethylenediaminetetraacetate and ammonium acetate-acetic acid buffers be monitored with pH electrodes that have a capillary junction between sample and saturated KCI, as is true of most blood-pH instruments. We also recommend use of a 1 mol/liter rather than 2.5 mol/liter stock ammonium acetate-acetic acid buffer, because of the closer similarity of the pH of buffers at this molarity to those at 0.01 mol/liter.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen↗

Informational DNA synthesis distinguished from that of nuclear DNA by inhibitors of DNA synthesis.

With inhibitors of DNA synthesis used in the presence of ethidium bromide, it has been possible to distinguish between synthesis of informational DNA (I-DNA) and that of nuclear DNA. Hydroxyurea depresses I-DNA synthesis preferentially but does not affect DNA transport between cell compartments. 5-Fluorodeoxyuridine and cytosine arabinoside reduce synthesis of I-DNA to a much lesser degree than that of nuclear DNA.

Animals↗