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Biomedical subjects

E Brown

Publications and source records attributed to E Brown.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Breathing pattern during maximal exercise and during submaximal exercise with hypercapnia.

During progressive exercise ventilation (VI) initially increases through increases in both tidal volume (VT) and respiratory frequency (f) but at high levels of exercise further increases in VI are almost completely due to increases in f and a VT plateau is seen. We wished to determine whether the presence of the VT plateau is due to a tachypneic influence related to very high levels of exercise or whether it represents a stereotypic response of the respiratory system at high levels of VI. We therefore compared breathing pattern in six subjects during maximal incremental exercise (ME) with that in the same subjects when similar levels of VI were obtained by a combination of submaximal exercise and hypercapnia (E/CO2). A VT plateau was seen in all ME and E/CO2 tests. There was no significant difference in the level of the VT plateau between the ME (2.93 +/- 0.17 liters) and E/CO2 (2.97 +/- 0.12 liters) tests. We conclude that the presence and level of the VT plateau during ME is not due to a tachypneic stimulus related to very high levels of exercise but is a function of the level of VI.

Adult↗

The incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in term appropriate-for-gestation-age infants.

Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in term infants is rare. In over 23,000 deliveries the authors were only able to find 12 diagnosed cases for an incidence of 5.9/10,000 livebirths (greater than or equal to 2,500 g and greater than or equal to 37 weeks' gestation). No consistent clinical patterns were identified. However, the obstetrical risk factors were a precipitate delivery, a second stage of more than 2 hours, the use of pitocin, and a forceps delivery. The number of cases of asymptomatic ICH was unknown because routine surveillance was not done. Furthermore, some infants may have become symptomatic following discharge, which may have resulted in an undercounting of the incidence of ICH. Most infants, however, became symptomatic by the second day.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗

The marketing of partial hospitalization.

Health-care professionals are currently operating in the context of a rapidly changing health-care delivery system, including the move away from inpatient services to outpatient services in order to control costs. Those who practice in partial-hospital settings are in a position to offer effective, cost-efficient services; however, there continue to be obstacles which hinder appropriate utilization of the modality. The development and use of a well-designed marketing plan is one strategy for removing these obstacles. This paper presents a brief overview of the marketing process, ideas for developing a marketing plan, and several examples of specific marketing strategies as well as ways to monitor their effectiveness. Partial-hospital providers must take an active role in answering the calls for alternative sources of psychiatric care. A comprehensive, education-oriented marketing approach will increase the public's awareness of such alternatives and enable programs to survive in a competitive environment.

Adolescent↗

Antigenicity and uveitogenicity of partially purified peptides of a retinal autoantigen, S-antigen.

S-antigen, a potent retinal autoantigen involved in human inflammatory eye disease, has been chemically digested with cyanogen bromide to generate various peptide fragments. Cleavage of bovine S-antigen at methionyl residues generates seven major polypeptide fragments of apparent molecular weight 26,000, 22,000, 19,000, 18,000, 12,500, 8000 and 3000, respectively. Immunoblotting following SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis either with monoclonal antibodies known to be directed to two separate antigenic determinants on S-antigen or with various polyclonal antisera identified two peptide fragments of 26,000 and 18,000 MW. The extreme insolubility of the larger peptide fragments in aqueous or organic buffers makes the purification of the polypeptides by biochemical procedures difficult. However partial purification of the remaining soluble peptides by gel filtration in urea containing buffers made it possible to ascertain that the 18,000 MW peptide is an important constituent that carries a uveitogenic determinant of this autoantigen.

Animals↗

Immunoaffinity purification of S-antigen using monoclonal antibodies to different antigenic sites.

Retinal S-antigen (S-ag) was purified by monoclonal antibody (MoAb) immunoaffinity chromatography from soluble protein extracts of bovine and human retina. Purification of S-ag was readily achieved by affinity chromatography using four different MoAb-Sepharose 4B columns. The four antibody columns gave different recoveries with material of comparable enrichment with greater than 95% purity as judged by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The use of two different MoAbs covalently bound to Sepharose 4B and known to be directed to disparate, spacially distant epitopes on S-ag led to at least a twofold increase in recovery, with the aforementioned purity. Immunoaffinity purified S-ag retained its serological and uveitogenic properties. The high recovery of S-ag associated with this one-step procedure is preferable to conventional preparatory techniques, and enables high antigen recovery when tissue availability is limited (eg human retina).

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Nebulised adrenaline in acute severe asthma: comparison with salbutamol.

Adrenaline may have beneficial effects in asthma in addition to a direct beta-adrenoceptor mediated bronchodilatation, such as alpha-receptor mediated reduction in microvascular leakage and oedema, and inhibition of bronchoconstrictor neural pathways. We have compared the bronchodilator effect of nebulised adrenaline (1 mg) with nebulised salbutamol (2.5 mg) in patients with acute severe asthma. Eighteen patients admitted with acute asthma (mean peak expiratory flow 22% predicted) were randomised to receive either adrenaline or salbutamol in a double-blind fashion and, after 15 min, were changed to the alternative nebulisation to determine if there was any additional bronchodilation. There were no differences between the increase in PEF after adrenaline (mean +/- SEM increase 99 +/- 20.5 L/min) or after salbutamol (119 +/- 22.7 L/min). Heart rate fell after each nebuliser and there was no difference between treatments. PaO2 rose after adrenaline (0.5 +/- 0.15 kPa), but fell after salbutamol (-0.2 +/- 0.11 kPa). These results suggest that nebulised adrenaline is as effective as a nebulised beta-agonist in acute asthma and is without significant side-effects. The theoretical advantages conferred by alpha-agonist activity do not produce any additional bronchodilation but may prevent any fall in PaO2 due to ventilation-perfusion mismatching.

Acute Disease↗

Guanine nucleotides are potent secretagogues in permeabilized parathyroid cells.

We studied the effects of GTP and its' analogues on PTH release in permeabilized parathyroid cells to assess their role in mediating the unusual inverse relationship between Ca2+ and PTH release in intact parathyroid cells. Both 10-5 M GppNHp and GTP gamma S, nonhydrolysable analogues of GTP, produce up to an 8-fold enhancement of PTH release, which is dose-dependent. This effect is specific for GTP analogues as we could not mimic it with other nucleotides. 10(-3) M GDP beta S, a nonhydrolysable GDP analogue, completely abolishes GppNHp-stimulated hormone release, providing further support for mediation of this effect by a guanine-nucleotide regulatory protein. In GppNHp-stimulated cells, PTH release is maximal at free [Ca2+] less than 200 nM and progressively decreases as the free [Ca2+] increases from 300 nM to 100 microM. These results suggest the presence of a guanine-nucleotide binding protein in the parathyroid cell that may play an important role in the regulation of PTH secretion by Ca2+ and perhaps other secretagogues.

Animals↗

Ultrastructural and biochemical evidence of the trimeric nature of frog virus 3 (FV3) six-coordinated capsomers.

Image analysis of freeze-etch replicas of cylindrical aberrant forms of FV3 provided evidence for three morphological subunits protruding from the six-coordinated capsomers. Negatively stained capsomers displayed both triangular and hexagonal profiles which suggests that their innermost portion is pseudohexagonal. Images from underfocused micrographs of capsomers are indicative of a central channel. The trimeric nature of the capsomer has been established by electrophoresis in the presence of Triton X-100, which showed that the molecular weight of the nondissociated capsomer is about 140,000 whereas that of the polypeptide itself is 48,000. This trimeric association does not occur via disulfide bonds, and inside the capsomers there are no free amino groups accessible to the usual bifunctional reagents. Thus, the chemical nature of the interpolypeptide bonds inside the trimers is still unknown. We have previously estimated the triangulation number (T) of FV3 to be 147 or 133 (Darcy-Tripier et al., 1984). The present study, using optical diffraction of the facets of FV3, allowed a better determination of the angle of skewness and is in favor of T = 133 (h = 9, k = 4, 18 degrees).

Capsid↗

Induction of differentiation in Friend erythroleukemia cells with dimethyl sulfoxide, hexamethylene bisacetamide and sodium butyrate is not accompanied by changes in proviral DNA or its expression.

The integration pattern, copy number and DNA expression of the Friend virus genome was examined in Friend erythroleukemia cells induced to differentiate with dimethyl sulfoxide, hexamethylene bisacetamide and sodium butyrate. The integrated proviral DNA in Friend erythroleukemia cells was examined by Southern hybridization with a cloned Friend virus (F-MuLV) probe at days 1 and 4 following inducer treatment, as well as on day 6 at which time the cells had remained for 48 h in inducer free medium. KpnI fragments 9 and 5.7 kb long were observed. The copy number of each fragment remained constant throughout the erythroid differentiation process. EcoRI digestion of DNA isolated from cells at different times following the inducer treatment demonstrated multiple integration sites of the proviral genome, which also remained constant during the differentiation process. Proviral DNA expression was examined at 4 h and 4 days following inducer treatment as well as on day 6 by which time cells remained for 48 h in inducer free medium. Northern blot hybridization to the F-MuLV probe indicated no change in the provirus gene expression independent of the class of inducers. These observations reinforce our conclusions that the viral genome and its transcription product do not play a major role in the differentiation process of Friend erythroleukemic cells.

Acetamides↗

Structural and functional studies on the human C3b/C4b receptor (CR1) purified by affinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody.

A procedure was devised that has several advantages over previously described methods to purify CR1 from both erythrocytes (E) and the HL-60 promyelocytic cell line. Using a monoclonal antibody immunoaffinity column, CR1 was purified to homogeneity as assessed by silver staining and 2-D gel analysis. Protein purified by this method comigrates on SDS-PAGE with 125I surface-labeled CR1 isolated by immunoprecipitation or iC3-Sepharose affinity chromatograhy and can be specifically immunoblotted with a second monoclonal anti-CR1 antibody. Employing this method, CR1 can be purified to homogeneity in amounts adequate for both functional studies and biochemical microanalysis. Purified E CR1 is functionally active as assessed by its ability to specifically rebind to an iC3-Sepharose affinity column, act as a cofactor for I-mediated cleavage of C3b to C3c and C3d, g and to accelerate decay of both the classical and alternative pathway C3 convertases. Its specific activity is similar to that of CR1 purified by a method not employing the potentially denaturing washing and eluting conditions of immunoaffinity chromatography. The pIs of the two major E CR1 allotypes are both approximately 7.1. Using pooled human E CR1, an amino acid composition was derived which revealed a relatively high proline content. This has also been found in two functionally related and genetically linked complement-regulatory proteins, H and C4-binding protein, NH2-terminal sequencing of E CR1 and HL-60 CR1 was unsuccessful indicating that the NH2-terminus is blocked.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The effect of abdominal radiation on spleen function: a study in children with Wilms' tumor.

Reports of splenic dysfunction in patients with Hodgkin's disease who received radiation therapy to the spleen raise questions concerning impairment of splenic function and the long-term risk of bacterial sepsis in children who receive abdominal radiation for other diseases. Splenic function was studied in 20 children with Wilms' tumor using a quantitative assessment of vacuolated ("pitted") red cells as a measure of reticuloendothelial function. Fourteen children had received abdominal radiation to a field involving the spleen at a median dose of 2000 rads. Their pitted red cells counts were no different from those of 6 children who received therapy without radiation to the spleen or to those of a group of normal children and adults. We conclude that there is no demonstrable long-term impairment of spleen function with radiation doses at or below 2200 rads.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Alternating chemotherapy and thoracic radiotherapy with concurrent cisplatin-etoposide for limited-stage small-cell carcinoma of the lung.

Seventy patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) were given six courses of chemotherapy alternating two drug combinations: a combination of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin (Adriamycin [Adria Laboratories, Columbus OH]) and vincristine (CAV) was alternated with cisplatin and etoposide at 3-week intervals. Thoracic radiotherapy was administered concurrently with the first cisplatin-etoposide chemotherapy. Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) was administered after the completion of all chemotherapy. No maintenance treatment was used. Seventy-six percent of patients achieved a complete clinical response. The median survival was 78 weeks and the 2-year survival rate was 32% with an average follow-up of 3 1/2 years. Seventeen percent are currently alive and disease free. Cisplatin and etoposide can be administered concurrently with thoracic irradiation with acceptable toxicity. Our results justify further clinical research using alternating chemotherapy and concurrent thoracic irradiation and cisplatin-etoposide chemotherapy.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Severe primary hyperparathyroidism in a neonate with two hypercalcemic parents: management with parathyroidectomy and heterotopic autotransplantation.

A neonate with severe primary hyperparathyroidism was successfully managed by parathyroidectomy and heterotopic autotransplantation (one third of one gland of the infant was implanted in the forearm). In vitro studies of parathyroid tissue from the infant revealed a severe defect in parathyroid suppressibility. Postoperatively, the infant had modest hypercalcemia, normal serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone levels, hypermagnesemia, and relative hypocalciuria. The parents were related and both had asymptomatic hypercalcemia with mean serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone levels that were within the normal range. Similar to the findings in the infant postoperatively, relative hypocalciuria in the presence of hypercalcemia was found in the mother; in contrast, the father had hypercalciuria. The presumed dominantly transmitted hypercalcemia in this kindred is consistent with familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia with a confounding factor of ethanol possibly accounting for the hypercalciuria in the father.

Acute Disease↗

Individualized behavioral and environmental care for the very low birth weight preterm infant at high risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia: neonatal intensive care unit and developmental outcome.

We hypothesize that the respiratory and functional states of the very low birth weight infant with bronchopulmonary dysplasia can be improved in the neonatal intensive care unit by prevention of inappropriate sensory input. To test this hypothesis, we developed for preterm newborns a behavior observation method that catalogues specific reaction patterns according to putative stress and relaxation behaviors. We then collected behavioral information and heart rate, respiratory rate, and transcutaneous PO2 readings before, during, and after routine care-giving interventions. Eight control and eight experimental infants were selected for study based on the following criteria: birth weight less than 1,250 g, gestational age less than 28 weeks, on the respirator greater than 24 hours in first 48 hours of life at greater than or equal to 0.60 FiO2 for more than two hours during first 48 hours of life. Additionally, the two groups were comparable on other medical and demographic variables, including severity of respiratory status for the first ten days and incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus, and socioeconomic status. Systematic observations were conducted on days 10, 20, and 30 after birth and at 36 and 40 weeks postconception. For the intervention infants, our observations were discussed with the infants' primary nurses, and individualized modifications for each infant's care plan were implemented based on these observations. Experimental infants showed significantly briefer stays on the respirator (P less than .01) and in increased FiO2 (P less than .05). Their feeding behavior was normalized significantly earlier (P less than .01). Experimental infants also showed significantly better behavioral regulation scores at 1 month after their mothers' estimated dates of confinement (post-EDC), as measured with the Assessment of Preterm Infants' Behavior, significantly better Mental and Psychomotor Developmental Indices at 3, 6, and 9 months post-EDC, as measured with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, and significantly better behavioral regulation scores at 9 months post-EDC, as measured in a videotaped play observation. Measurements of weight, height, and head circumference at 3, 6, and 9 months post-EDC showed no differences. All assessments were performed by one of two trained testers not familiar with the goals of the study or the group status of the infant. These results support the hypothesis that very low birth weight preterm babies profit significantly both medically and developmentally from individualized behavioral care in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia↗

Alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated inositol phospholipid hydrolysis in rat cerebral cortex: relationship between receptor occupancy and response and effects of denervation.

The characteristics of catecholamine-mediated breakdown of inositol phospholipids in rat cerebral cortex slices have been examined using a direct assay involving prelabeling with [3H]inositol and examining the production of labelled inositol phosphates in the presence of lithium. Noradrenaline produced a marked stimulation of inositol phosphate accumulation and this response could be potently and competitively antagonised by the alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin. The alpha 2-antagonist yohimbine was almost 1000-fold less potent at antagonising noradrenaline inositol phospholipid response. Noradrenaline and adrenaline were full agonists at alpha 1-adrenoceptors but phenylephrine and methoxamine were only partial agonists in their ability to stimulate inositol phospholipid metabolism. There was a significant correlation between the ability of a variety of agonists and antagonists to activate or inhibit [3H]inositol phosphate accumulation and their ability to displace the alpha 1-adrenoceptor selective ligand [3H]prazosin from specific binding sites when assays were performed on rat cerebral cortical slices under identical conditions. The similarity of EC50 values of agonists stimulating inositol phosphate accumulation and their IC50 values in [3H]prazosin binding experiments suggested a close relationship between receptor occupancy and alpha 1-mediated inositol phosphate accumulation. Further experiments were performed to examine this directly by inactivating alpha 1-adrenoceptors with the alkylating antagonist phenoxybenzamine. After washing out unbound antagonist, [3H]prazosin binding was reduced to a very similar proportion to that observed on the maximal noradrenaline-stimulated accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates in the slices. The EC50 values for noradrenaline-stimulated inositol phosphate accumulation was unaltered and the affinity of [3H]prazosin for the remaining sites was equally unaffected. In rats treated 14 days previously with i.c.v. 6-hydroxydopamine (2 X 250 micrograms) there was a small increase in alpha 1-adrenoceptor binding sites but a parallel shift to the left in the noradrenaline [3H]inositol phosphate accumulation dose-response curve. On the other hand, the partial agonist phenylephrine induced a larger maximal response in denervated animals without a change in the EC50 values. When slices from 6-hydroxydopamine treated animals were preincubated with phenoxybenzamine, the loss in alpha 1-adrenoceptor binding sites was greater than the reduction in the maximal response to noradrenaline. This may indicate the development of a small receptor reserve after denervation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Lymphoblastic leukemia with lymphomatous features associated with abnormalities of the short arm of chromosome 9.

Patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who present with bulky disease of the lymph nodes, spleen, or mediastinum--so-called "lymphomatous ALL"--appear to represent a distinct subgroup among patients with ALL of T-cell lineage who have different clinical findings, but the biologic basis for these differences is not known. While studying 65 patients with lymphoblastic leukemia whose karyotype was determined at diagnosis, we compared the findings in 8 patients with lymphomatous ALL and 57 patients whose presentations were more typical of ALL. Six patients with lymphomatous ALL had karyotypic abnormalities leading to loss of bands p21-p22 on the short arm of chromosome 9. The mechanisms varied and included deletions, unbalanced translocations, or loss of the entire chromosome. Only 1 of the 57 patients without lymphomatous ALL had an abnormality of chromosome 9 at diagnosis (P less than 0.001). These findings indicate that loss of chromosomal material in the region of 9p21-p22 is closely associated with lymphomatous ALL; by analogy with retinoblastoma, in which gene deletions are associated with an enzyme deficiency, this disease may be related to the loss of the enzyme methylthioadenosine phosphorylase, previously reported in some of these patients.

Adolescent↗