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Biomedical subjects

E Jones

Publications and source records attributed to E Jones.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Perioperative complications of cardioverter-defibrillator implantation: the Emory experience.

Over a 5-year period, 110 cardioverter-defibrillators (109 epicardial, 1 transvenous) were implanted consecutively in selected patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The perioperative course of this patient population was examined to determine the associated morbidity and mortality of the procedure. Patients were predominantly male, with coronary artery disease and a decreased left ventricular ejection fraction. Most underwent median sternotomy for implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation. The incidence of perioperative mortality was found to be 2.7%. New-onset atrial fibrillation or flutter occurred in 17.3% of the patients during the postoperative period and aggravation of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in 19.1%. The ICD system became infected in 2.7% of the patients and the mediastinal incision site infected in 2.4%. Pneumonia developed in 4.5%. Other complications included significant blood loss, ICD pocket hematomas, and lead dislodgement. There is an appreciable incidence of morbidity and mortality associated with ICD implantation.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Effect of polyphosphate and sodium chloride on the growth of Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus in ultra-high temperature milk.

With UHT-sterilized milk as a model system, combinations of polyphosphate (.5 and 1.0%) and NaCl (.5 and 4.5%) were studied to determine their effects on the growth kinetics of Listeria monocytogenes Scott A and Staphylococcus aureus 196E. The milk was inoculated with 10(3) to 10(4) cfu/ml of either L. monocytogenes or S. aureus and incubated under aerobic conditions at 12, 19, 28, or 37 degrees C. The addition of polyphosphate did not significantly inhibit the growth of either microbe at the temperatures studied, but the addition of NaCl or a combination of salts significantly inhibited growth. The addition of .5 or 1.0% polyphosphate alone to dairy products is not likely to affect substantially the growth of S. aureus or L. monocytogenes.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Genotoxicity testing of pidotimod in vitro and in vivo.

The mutagenic potential of pidotimod ((R)-3-[(S)-(5-oxo-2- pyrrolidinyl)carbonyl]-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid, PGT/1A, CAS 121808-62-6) was assessed in a series of five assays designed to measure gene mutation, chromosomal damage and primary DNA damage. All tests were carried out in accordance with appropriate EEC and OECD Guidelines. No indications of mutagenic potential were observed in any of the assays.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Factors affecting length of hospitalization in a rheumatic disease unit.

OBJECTIVE: To assess factors influencing length of stay in a 12-bed rheumatic disease unit of a university associated teaching hospital with secondary and tertiary care responsibilities for a geographically broad referral base. METHODS: Patient discharges over a 12-month period were studied and divided into 3 categories. RESULTS: In Category 1, 167 patients with a mean age of 47.12 had a hospital stay of 1-14 days. Within this group was a subgroup of 30 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, mean age of 30.13 receiving iv pulse cyclophosphamide who had multiple admissions. Their omission elevated the mean age to 50.87. In Category 2, 81 patients with a mean age of 59, had a hospital stay of 15-28 days and in Category 3, 24 patients with a mean age of 50.9 were hospital stay of 15-28 days and in Category 3, 24 patients with a mean age of 50.9 were hospitalized more than 29 days. Principal diagnosis, major complications of disease, complications of procedure and treatment and concurrent nonrheumatologic pathologies were analyzed for each group. The presence of a large number of comorbid pathologies in Groups 1 and 2 relate to the tertiary referral nature of the practice. Category 2, the group with the higher mean age had more treatment related complications in the form of adverse reactions to 2nd line agents and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. The 24 patients in Category 3 showed an equal sex distribution and are noted for the presence of infectious agent arthritis, requiring longterm iv antibiotics, both as a principal diagnosis, and as a complication of other pathologies. Vasculitis as a complication of preexisting disease and as a principal diagnosis was also a feature of this group. CONCLUSION: Length of stay above the 14 day mean relates to disease severity and serious complications such as vasculitis or joint sepsis requiring prolonged treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Backwardness of human neuroanatomy.

To interpret the activity of living human brains, their neuroanatomy must be known in detail. New techniques to do this are urgently needed, since most of the methods now used on monkeys cannot be used on humans.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Effect of multidrug-resistant P-glycoprotein gene expression on chloroaluminum tetrasulfonate phthalocyanine concentration.

The effect of multidrug-resistant P-glycoprotein gene expression (MDR1) in 3T3 cells on cellular concentrations and cytotoxicity induced by the photodynamic agent chloroaluminum tetrasulfonate phthalocyanine (AlSPc) was evaluated. 3T3 cells transfected with a retroviral vector expressing human MDR1 cDNA were resistant to colchicine. Resistant cells incubated with daunomycin accumulated only 40-50% of the quantity of daunomycin accumulated in control cells. Resistant cells incubated with daunomycin in the presence of verapamil had intracellular daunomycin concentrations approximately equal to control cells without verapamil. When these MDR1 3T3 cells were incubated with AlSPc, cellular concentrations of AlSPc did not differ between cells resistant to colchicine and those that were not. Similarly, there was little difference in cytotoxicity demonstrated by 51Cromium release in the two cell lines exposed to AlSPc and light (675 nm; 6 J/cm2). This study suggests photodynamic therapy using AlSPc may be a useful treatment modality for tumors in which the MDR1 P-glycoprotein confers resistance to cancer chemotherapeutics.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1993

Cloning and sequence analysis of the spike gene from several feline coronaviruses.

The DNA sequence encoding the spike gene from the DF2 strain of Type II feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), a temperature sensitive FIPV virus (TS-DF2) and an isolate of feline enteric coronavirus (FECV 1683) were determined. Comparison of the published WSU 1146 and DF2 FIPV S genes showed that the viruses shared a high degree of homology (99.6%). Likewise, the S gene of the virulent DF2 FIPV virus was closely conserved to that isolated from the vaccine virus strain, TS-DF2 FIPV. In contrast, the FECV S gene had numerous DNA and amino acid differences when compared to the virulent FIPV sequences. Sequence differences among the feline coronavirus isolates were localized to the amino-terminus region of the S gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Cognitive impairment and autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) includes a wide array of manifestations some of which have been associated with specific autoantibodies. These include reactivity to surface neuronal and lymphocyte antigens, ribosomal P and cardiolipin. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between cognitive abnormalities and these autoantibodies in an unselected female population of SLE patients. Using a battery of standardized neuropsychological tests, cognitive impairment was identified in 15/70 (21%) SLE patients compared to 1/25 (4%) patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 1/23 (4%) healthy subjects (P = 0.04). Circulating antineuronal antibodies were measured by indirect immunofluorescence using human neuroblastoma cell lines IMR-6 and SK-N-SH. Lymphocytotoxic antibodies were measured by microcytotoxicity. Antibodies to ribosomal P and cardiolipin were measured by ELISA. Antineuronal antibodies were detected in 34%, lymphocytotoxic antibodies in 47%, anti-P antibodies in 17% and anticardiolipin antibodies in 24% of patients. In the cognitively impaired and unimpaired SLE patients there was no significant difference in the prevalence of antineuronal antibodies (33 vs 35%), lymphocytotoxic antibodies (40 vs 50%), anti-P antibodies (20 vs 17%) or anticardiolipin antibodies (7 vs 29%). The titre and isotype of autoantibodies were also similar in both groups. These results suggest that autoantibodies which have previously been associated with nervous system manifestations of SLE are not likely to be directly involved in the pathogenesis of cognitive dysfunction.

Antibodies, Anticardiolipin↗
PubMed1993

Generation differences in hospital inpatient care of children aged 1 to 5 years.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe differences in childhood hospital admissions at ages 1 to 5 years in two generations, and to compare the intergenerational differences in risks of admission. DESIGN: Information was taken from a longitudinal birth cohort study of a national sample and their firstborn offspring. SETTING: England, Wales, and Scotland. SUBJECTS: the 5022 birth cohort members for whom information is available from ages 1 to 5 years and their 2205 firstborn offspring. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data comprised reports of hospital admissions, which were checked with hospitals. Mean numbers of days spent in hospital were fewer in the offspring generation than in their parents, but the proportion ever admitted fell by only 1%. Low birth weight babies (< 2500 g), who comprised 6% of cohort births and 7% of the following generation, used a high proportion of all inpatient time in the offspring population, rising from 3% to 14% of all days of admission. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the early years of the NHS, published statistics show that the effectiveness of paediatric care has improved greatly, and that childhood mortality and the risk of serious illness have decreased significantly. This study reports intergenerational changes in the reasons for hospital admission and shows, with the benefit of good denominator data, that although there was only a small intergenerational decrease in the proportion of children treated in hospital, there was a large reduction in the time spent in hospital and an increase in admissions of children of low birth weight.

Child Health Services↗
PubMed1993

Consequences to the patient in the event of hydraulic unit failure.

An anomalous hot spot, which occurs when the motion of the Leksell Gamma Unit is halted, was investigated. A series of measurements indicated that the source of this hot spot is the focusing property of the primary collimator. It was determined that this effect is unlikely to result in serious consequences to the patient, even in the event of failure of the hydraulic unit.

Equipment Failure↗
PubMed1993

Evaluation of the mutagenicity of a-dihydroergocryptine in vitro and in vivo.

The mutagenic potential of the ergot alkaloid a-dihydroergocryptine (a-DEC, CAS 14271-05-7) was assessed in a series of 5 assays designed to measure gene mutation, chromosomal damage and primary DNA damage. All tests were carried out in accordance with appropriate EEC and OECD Guidelines. No indications of mutagenic potential were observed in any of the assays.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Detection of epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor alpha protein in meningiomas and other tumors of the central nervous system in human beings.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) are potent mitogens for normal cells of ectodermal and mesodermal origin. Evidence is accumulating that suggests that EGF, TGF alpha and their common receptor (EGF/TGF alpha-R) influence development and functioning of tissues of the central nervous system (CNS). To further investigate the possible roles of EGF, TGF alpha and their receptor in autocrine/paracrine regulation of tumor growth in the CNS, a series of tumors of the CNS were analyzed for the presence of specific, high affinity EGF/TGF alpha receptors and for the presence of immunoreactive TGF alpha protein. Binding of 125I-EGF to crude membranes from a pool of meningiomas was competed for equally well by low concentrations of unlabeled EGF or TGF alpha, but not by high concentrations of other protein hormones, demonstrating the high degree of specificity of the EGF/TGF alpha receptor. Specific binding of 125I-EGF was dependent upon time and temperature, with maximum specific binding achieved after two hours at 22 degrees C. Scatchard analysis of six tumors of the CNS large enough to permit titration analysis generated linear plots with an average kilodalton of 1.1 +/- 0.1 nanometer (+/- standard error of the mean), suggesting the presence of a single class of EGF/TGF alpha-R with high affinity. EGF also stimulated phosphorylation of a 170 kilodalton protein in membrane fraction of a meningioma, demonstrating that the EGF/TGF alpha-R in this tumor retained EGF-stimulated kinase autophosphorylating activity. Membranes for 17 additional smaller tumors of the CNS were analyzed for specific binding of 125I-EGF by single, high concentration method, and all 17 tumors were found to contain specific binding of 125I-EGF. The average level of 125I-EGF for all 23 tumors of the CNS was 46 +/- 27 femtomoles per milligram protein with a range of 1 femtomoles per milligram for both a pituitary adenoma and meningioma to 638 femtomoles per milligram for a glioblastoma. A series of 13 tumors of the CNS were analyzed for EGF alpha with use of a specific radioimmunoassay. TGF alpha immunoreactive protein was detected in all four malignant tumors of the CNS assayed at an average level of 2.6 +/- 1.1 nanograms per milligram soluble protein, whereas TGF alpha immunoreactive protein was detected in only two of nine benign tumors of the CNS. These results add support to the hypothesis that TGF alpha and its receptor may act by autocrine/paracrine mechanisms to influence growth of tumors of the CNS in vivo.

Central Nervous System Neoplasms↗
PubMed1993

Brequinar sodium: monitoring immunosuppressive activity.

There has been remarkable consistency in our laboratory for the experimental results derived from a variety of allogeneic and xenogeneic models of organ transplantation using BQR, a primary immunosuppressive agent, to prevent graft rejection. Considerable knowledge exists in a number of species with respect to the dose-response immunosuppressive efficacy, organ specificity, peripheral drug measurements, toxic side-effects, species sensitivity, and synergistic drug interactions. Despite the complexity of transferring experimental results to the clinical setting, the cumulative experience with this new immunosuppressive compound suggests that it may be highly effective when used for clinical transplantation. The identification of a predictive monitoring technique(s) would provide clinicians with a highly sensitive marker to effectively regulate BQR posttransplantation immunosuppressive therapies. Although the maintenance of a "therapeutic window" of immunosuppressive efficacy did not necessarily prevent the rejection of allografts or xenografts in the rat models tested, there was an important correlation between elevated BQR levels and the onset of recipient toxicity. Increased morbidity and mortality was noted when BQR blood levels were elevated above 16 micrograms/mL. The measurement of pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway metabolites provided a direct correlation between graft viability, global depletion of nucleotides (UTP, CTP, ATP, GTP), and suppression of PHA-mitogenic lymphocyte proliferative responses when different doses of BQR were tested. The analysis of these parameters were less informative following combination therapy with CsA. As with other immunosuppressive agents, the difficulty in relying exclusively on plasma trough drug levels as an accurate means to project graft viability may be influenced by individual differences in absorption, metabolism, and excretion of the compound. Additional parameters that may provide valuable information for the posttransplant therapeutic course include drug bioavailability, peak levels, drug clearance, or inhibition of immune response. It is anticipated that these studies will provide important baseline information for further refinement of these monitoring techniques to aid in posttransplant patient management.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

A recombinant sporozoite surface antigen of Theileria parva induces protection in cattle.

At present immunization against Theileria parva is by infection with live sporozoites and simultaneous treatment with a long-acting oxytetracycline. This method has major limitations in that live organisms are used and the immunity engendered is parasite stock specific. In an attempt to develop an alternative immunization procedure, the gene encoding p67, a major surface antigen of sporozoites, has been expressed by using the plasmid expression vector pMG1. The gene, which has been characterized previously, encodes 709 amino acid residues, contains a single intron of 29 base pairs, and is only transcribed during sporogony. The recombinant p67 sequences were fused to the first 85 amino acid residues derived from a nonstructural gene (NS1) of influenza virus A. Immunization with a partially purified recombinant antigen emulsified in 3% saponin induced sporozoite neutralizing antibodies in cattle and provided protection in six of nine animals on homologous challenge with T. parva sporozoites. This recombinant antigen is therefore a candidate for development of a vaccine against T. parva.

Animals↗