Synthesis and superconducting critical temperature of YBa2Cu
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Journal Article↗
Biomedical subjects
E Garcia
Publications and source records attributed to E Garcia.
Isolation and characterisation of dog uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains and their fimbriae.
A number of Escherichia coli strains have been isolated from dogs with urinary tract infections. These strains have been characterised with respect to their O, K, H, and fimbrial antigens, colicin production, antibiotic resistance, plasmid content and their ability to haemagglutinate erythrocytes from various species. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis of fimbrial extracts, as well as the reaction of partly purified fimbriae of a number of these strains with monoclonal antibodies revealed homology or a strong crossreaction with an F12 fimbrial subunit protein of human uropathogenic E. coli strains. Unlike human F12 fimbriae producing strains, the dog isolates did agglutinate dog erythrocytes in the presence of D-mannose but not human erythrocytes, indicating that the adhesin carried by these strains is different from the adhesin on fimbriae of human uropathogenic E. coli. Similar indications were obtained from experiments with latex beads coated with the receptor for P-fimbriae. These beads were agglutinated by Escherichia coli strains from human urinary tract infections, but not by the dog isolates described here. Preliminary adhesion experiments of human and dog Escherichia coli to human bladder epithelial and canine kidney epithelial cells also showed differences in adhesion depending on the origin of the strain tested.
Animals↗
Definition of selectable cell surface markers for human chromosomes and chromosome segments in rodent-human hybrids.
A panel of 22 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) recognizing 21 distinct human cell surface antigens was tested by mixed hemadsorption assays for reactivity with a large number of rodent-human somatic cell hybrids containing different subsets of the human chromosome complement. The serological typing results permit the assignment of six gene loci determining cell surface antigens to human chromosomes 3, 6, 11, 19, 20, and 22. In addition, analysis of hybrids retaining deleted copies (but no normal homologs) of specific human chromosomes provides regional assignments for 18 gene loci, located on seven different chromosomes. These findings extend and refine the genetic map for human cell surface antigens and identify new selectable markers for defined chromosome segments.
Animals↗
Performance characteristics of a disposable ventricle assist device.
A disposable ventricle assist device (VAD) including atrium, ventricle and trileaflet valves (all polyurethane) can be driven either a) by its original self adjusting drive unit (ABIOMED BVS 5000) or b) by a standard intra-aortic balloon pump console (DATASCOPE). Maximum flow in vitro was 4.3 l/min with the original drive console versus 9.2 l/min for activation with the intra-aortic balloon pump console. Performance characteristics of the VAD were evaluated in 11 bovine experiments. In vivo left ventricular assist for up to 24 hours with VAD and either original drive console or standard intra-aortic balloon pump console showed superior flow on activation with the intra-aortic balloon pump console (5.3 +/- 1.7 l/min) versus original drive console (3.5 +/- 0.5 l/min). After 6 hours of assist (before any transfusions) there was no significant difference in classic parameters for evaluation of blood trauma such as plasma hemoglobin production, LDH production and platelet depletion. We conclude that VAD is extremely simple to use. Activation by an intra-aortic balloon pump console enables significant increase of VAD-output without detectable increase of blood trauma. Successful weaning of VAD activated with standard intra-aortic balloon pump console was possible in a first clinical application.
Aortic Valve Insufficiency↗
Immunocytochemical demonstration of estrogen and progesterone receptors in muscle cells of uterine arteries in rabbits and humans.
Modifications of uterine blood flow are implicated in many important aspects of reproductive physiology and in several of their pathological disorders. These modifications are hormonally regulated but remain poorly understood, and various complex mechanisms have been proposed. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and some characteristics of estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) in uterine blood vessels. Using monoclonal antibodies and immunocytochemistry we observed the presence of ER and PR in muscle cells (tunica media) of uterine arteries of rabbits and women. ER or PR immunoreactivity was not detected in the endothelium of uterine arteries nor in uterine capillaries or veins. Staining for both receptors was also present in arterial walls from the fallopian tube (isthmus and ampulla) and vagina but not in arteries of nonreproductive tissues (intestinal, renal, hepatic, femoral, and pulmonary arteries, aorta). PR immuno-staining was increased by estrogen in all cell types of the rabbit uterus, but the doses necessary to provoke an intense nuclear staining in uterine arteries were higher than those required for observing strong labeling in glandular, stromal, or myometrial cells. These results suggest that, contrary to many hypotheses previously put forward, sex steroid hormones may regulate uterine blood flow through a direct effect on uterine arterial walls.
Animals↗
Use of immunocytochemistry of progesterone and estrogen receptors for endometrial dating.
Endometrial progesterone and estrogen receptors were studied by immunocytochemistry using monoclonal antibodies during the menstrual cycle in normal women. We initially compared immunocytochemical staining of progesterone and estradiol receptors on endometrial fragments obtained by either aspiration or endometrial biopsy and found that immunocytochemistry could be performed easily on tissue obtained in either way. The immunocytochemical studies showed that the concentration and distribution of receptors changed markedly during the normal menstrual cycle. These changes were distributed in three characteristic phases. During phase I, corresponding to the midfollicular period (days 7-8), a small proportion (25%) of stromal and glandular cells stained positively for the progesterone receptor, whereas estrogen receptor staining was more intense and more frequent (50% of cells). Phase II, which included both the late follicular and early luteal periods (days 9-19), was characterized by a marked staining of progesterone receptors in the majority of glandular cells (75%) and somewhat less abundant and less frequent staining in stromal cells (50%). Estrogen receptor staining was present in about half of the glandular and stromal cells. Phase III, the mid- and late luteal period (days 21-27), was characterized by the disappearance of estrogen and progesterone receptor staining in glandular cells, although faint staining for both receptors was found in stromal cells. These variations in progesterone receptor staining are potentially useful for determining the effect of progesterone on endometrial maturation.
Biopsy↗
Coronary artery anomalies: a review of more than 10,000 patients from the Clayton Cardiovascular Laboratories.
We reviewed the records of 10,661 patients who had undergone coronary angiography at the Clayton Foundation Cardiovascular Laboratories between 1 June 1974 and 15 March 1986, and identified major coronary artery anomalies in 83 adults. In addition, we included in our review 9 adults and 2 adolescents who had been referred for evaluation of anomalies documented elsewhere. Here we present the clinical and angiographic data for all 94 patients (76 men and 18 women). Most patients were men who presented with chest pain. The most common anomaly, found in 38 patients, was origin of left circumflex coronary artery from right coronary artery or right aortic sinus. In contrast to other studies, which have not shown increased incidence of coronary atherosclerosis in the anomalous circumflex artery, 71% of our patients with this anomaly had significant coronary atherosclerosis in the proximal portion of the anomalous vessel. The posterior course of the anomalous circumflex coronary artery may predispose this vessel to atherosclerosis in patients with coronary disease. The overall incidence of atherosclerotic disease in coronary arteries was 68% (64 of 94 patients) in the present study.
Journal Article↗
The changing role of the cardiac catheterization laboratory.
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Editorial↗
Phenotypic and genetic analysis of HLA class I and HLA-DR antigen expression on human melanomas.
Class I and HLA-DR antigen expression were studied with histochemical techniques involving monomorphic monoclonal antibodies in 49 cases of human malignant melanomas, 20 primary and 29 metastatic. A large percentage (90%) of primary melanomas were positive for HLA class I, while those primary lesions showing lowest levels of class I antigen expression were at the upper end of the range of invasiveness and possessed a higher metastatic potential. Expression of HLA-DR molecules on primary melanomas was low (25% of all cases) and HLA-DR-positive melanomas were among the most aggressive. In metastatic melanomas, HLA class I expression was less common than in primary lesions. The lowest percentage of cases positive for HLA class I was found for cutaneous metastases. HLA-DR molecules were more frequently expressed by lymph node metastases than on primary melanomas. The comparison of the expression of HLA class I and HLA-DR molecules by primary melanomas and their autologous metastases revealed a high degree of heterogeneity. Class I genes were further studied by Southern blot assays. No differences were found in restriction fragments for class I genes among 4 melanomas and their autologous lymphocytes, 2 of which were positive and 2 negative for class I expression.
Blotting, Southern↗
Influence of testosterone substitution on sperm suppression by LHRH agonists.
To investigate the effect of LHRH (GnRH) agonists on sperm suppression, we studied the effect of a depot preparation of D-Trp6 LHRH in 10 normal men for 30 weeks. In addition, to determine the role of androgenic substitution on sperm suppression, the volunteers were divided into two groups: group 1 (n = 5) received a low dose T substitution (125 mg of T enanthate every month), while group 2 (n = 5) received a normal T substitution (120 mg of T undecanoate every day). Four men became azoospermic in group 1 and none in group 2. Moreover, administration of additional T injections in 1 volunteer of group 1 resulted in the reappearance of spermatozoa in the ejaculate. Return to the low dose therapy produced azoospermia. These results suggest that testosterone supplementation supports spermatogenesis.
Contraceptive Agents, Male↗
Collaborative study on antigens for immunodiagnosis of Schistosoma japonicum infection.
Six research laboratories in Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the USA participated in a collaborative evaluation of immunodiagnostic tests for Schistosoma japonicum infections. The serum bank consisted of 385 well-documented sera from Brazil, Kenya, Philippines, Republic of Korea and Europe. Twelve S. japonicum antigen/test system combinations were evaluated.Crude S. japonicum egg antigens showed the highest sensitivity and specificity. The defined or characterized antigens showed no advantage over the crude antigens. Quantitative seroreactivity of all S. japonicum antigens showed a positive correlation with faecal egg counts (log x + 1) in all age groups. The performance of the circumoval precipitin test was satisfactory within the same laboratory but with differences in the results between laboratories. A monoclonal antibody used in a competitive radioimmunoassay test system performed as well as the crude egg antigens.The high sensitivity of crude S. japonicum antigens now permits further evaluation for wide-scale use in public health laboratories of endemic areas to support control efforts.
Antigens, Helminth↗
Comparison of the mechanisms of action of LHRH analogs and steroids in the treatment of endometriosis.
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Endometriosis↗
Searching for autolysin functions. Characterization of a pneumococcal mutant deleted in the lytA gene.
The first mutant of Streptococcus pneumoniae showing a complete deletion in the lytA gene coding for the N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanine amidase has been isolated and characterized. This amidase was previously the only autolysin detected in this species. This mutant shows a normal growth rate and can be transformed using either chromosomal or plasmid DNA. The most remarkable biological consequences of the absence of the amidase are the formation of small chains (six to eight cells) and the absence of lysis in the stationary phase of growth. In addition, this mutant exhibits a tolerant response against the beta-lactam antibiotics.
Amidohydrolases↗
Noninvasive quantification of the extent of jeopardized myocardium in patients with single-vessel coronary disease by stress thallium-201 single-photon emission computerized rotational tomography.
In 22 patients with single-vessel coronary artery disease and no history of infarction, stress Tl-201 rotational tomography was used to quantify the extent of jeopardized myocardium. The vertical long- and short-axis tomograms were quantified by means of maximum-count circumferential profile analysis. The scintigraphic extent of jeopardized myocardium was expressed as the percentage of profile points falling 2.5 standard deviations below a previously established mean normal profile and was correlated to a quantitatively expressed angiographic extent of jeopardized myocardium. The extent of jeopardized myocardium varied from 1% to 55% by tomography and 8% to 50% by angiography and correlated with an r = 0.79 and a 10% standard error of the estimate. Defect intensity, reflecting the mean depth by which the abnormal points fell below the normal value of greater than or equal to 10%, was 100% specific for a coronary stenosis of greater than or equal to 70%. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that: patients with single-vessel disease have highly variable extents of hypoperfused myocardium defined by Tl-201 tomography and coronary arteriography, there is a fair relationship between angiographic jeopardy score and perfusion defects by Tl-201 tomography during exercise, and Tl-201 tomography may be used to noninvasively determine the extent of hypoperfused myocardium in coronary artery disease.
Aged↗
The echocardiographic spectrum of atrial myxoma: a ten-year experience.
We analyzed the echocardiograms of 28 patients with a left atrial myxoma and two with a right atrial myxoma. Our purpose was to evaluate the value of echocardiography for the diagnosis of these cardiac masses. Only 59% of the m-mode echocardiograms in patients with a left atrial myxoma showed the characteristic findings of multiple diastolic echoes within the mitral orifice as well as abnormal systolic echoes within the left atrium. M-mode echocardiograms were atypical for left atrial myxoma in the remaining patients, and a definitive diagnosis could not be established on the basis of this procedure in six of the patients (22%). Two-dimensional echocardiography showed the presence of a left atrial mass in all 16 patients who had the procedure, and aided in understanding the atypical m-mode recordings. There was a close relationship (r =.82) between two-dimensional echocardiographic measurements of the myxomas' size and pathologic measurements. Both right atrial myxomas could be identified on the m-mode echocardiogram. Our experience indicates that two-dimensional echocardiography is superior to the m-mode technique for the diagnosis and characterization of left atrial myxomas.
Journal Article↗
Quantitation of extent, depth, and severity of planar thallium defects in patients undergoing exercise thallium-201 scintigraphy.
Previous quantitation of exercise-redistribution planar 201TI scintigraphy has shown high sensitivity and specificity in the detection of coronary artery disease and improved detection of individual coronary stenoses over visual analysis. By using similar methodology based on the circumferential profile method, we studied 133 patients to quantitatively assess the extent, depth, and severity of thallium defects compared with consensus visual analysis. These quantitative measurements are objective, requiring only three operator interactions. In comparing quantitative and visual results, a close correlation was found for measurement of extent of thallium defect (r = 0.73) and severity of defect (r = 0.79). In detecting patients with the high-risk scintigraphic pattern of a severe stress thallium defect, a quantitative depth score of greater than or equal to 36 had an 81% sensitivity and an 82% specificity. Thus, this nearly automatic, computerized quantitative method allows objective determination of extent, severity, and depth of planar 201TI defects.
Aged↗
Transcellular current and morphogenesis in Acetabularia mediterranea grown in white, blue and red light.
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Acetabularia↗
Outpatient keratoplasty.
Outpatient keratoplasty in 103 patients (46 males and 57 females ranging in age from 1 to 90 years) produced no instances of infection, shallow or flat anterior chambers, or anterior synechia formation. Postoperative discomfort was minimal.
Adolescent↗