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Biomedical subjects

J Barrett

Publications and source records attributed to J Barrett.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

Triiodothyronine uptake assay with immobilized triiodothyronine antibody as the bound-free separating agent.

Available systems for evaluation of degree of unsaturation of thyroxine-binding globulin are hampered at the bound-free separation step. In current assays, inorganic sorbants or ion-exchange resins are used to separate free 125I-labeled triiodothyronine from that bound to thyroxine-binding globulin. The techniques are laborious, time consuming, and not readily adaptable to total automation. In the assay we describe, triiodothyronine antibody, immobilized on the walls of polypropylene test tubes, is used as the bound-free separating agent in the evaluation of degree of unsaturation of thyroxine-binding globulin. The assay is simplified to four steps; washing, centrifugation, and use of columns are eliminated; and the procedure is readily automatable with existing pipetting equipment. Correlation with existing methods is excellent.

Animals↗

Filtration characteristics of polyester mesh (Pall) micropore blood transfusion filter.

Stored human blood of varying age was passed through polyester mesh (Pall) micropore blood transfusion (pore size, 40 mu). Passage through the filter resulted in decreased screen filtration pressure (SFP) of the blood and increased filter weight. Mumerous microaggregates were removed, but SFP did not return to normal after filtration. On the basis of this research, we conclude that polyester mesh micropore blood transfusion filters are not as effective as Dacron wool (Swank) transfusion filters in removal of micro-aggregates from stored human blood. If a polyester mesh filter must be used, it is recommended that once occlusion of the filter has occurred, the filter should then be discarded and another inserted.

Blood Preservation↗

Studies on the induction of permeability in Ascaris lumbricoides eggs.

The initial process in the hatching mechanism of Ascaris eggs is the sudden onset of permeability in the previously impermeable ascaroside membrane. During this change the ascaroside membrane remains intact and no chemical changes can be detected. Using the molecular probe 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulphonic acid no conformational changes were detected in the ascaroside membrane during the induction of permeability. It is suggested that either the permeability change is due to a very localized chemical or conformational change, not detectable by conventional analytical techniques, or the change is due to mechanical damage of the ascaroside membrane, brought about by the activity of the infective larva.

Anilino Naphthalenesulfonates↗

Microaggregate formation in stored human packed cells: comparison with formation in stored whole blood and a method for their removal.

Experiments were performed to compare the formation of microaggregates in stored human whole blood (WB) with that in stored packed cells (PC) and also to compare the effectiveness of standard blood transfusion filters with dacron wool (Swank) micropore transfusion filters in removing such microaggregates. After 5, 10, 15 and 20 days of storage SFP and debris weights of PC's were considerably greater than those of matched WB samples. Passage of either WB or PC's through standard blood transfusion filters resulted in small decreases in SFP and debris weights. Passage of either WB or PC's through dacron wool (Swank) transfusion filters led to striking and highly significant decreases in both SFP and debris weights. When stored PC's were diluted to the same hematocrits as their corresponding WB samples, SFP remained considerably elevated above those of the WB samples. On the basis of this research, it is concluded that centrifugation of blood during component separation leads to a significant increase in microaggregate formation over and above that which progressively occurs during storage and that the risk of pulmonary microembolization during transfusion with stored PC's is greater than that during WB transfusion. For this reason, dacron wool (Swank) filters should always be used when PC's are being transfused.

Blood Preservation↗

Ovine placental lactogen: acute effects on intermediary metabolism in pregnant and non-pregnant sheep.

The intravenous administration of ovine placental lactogen to pregnant and non-pregnant sheep produced significant acute decreases in plasma free fatty acid, glucose and amino nitrogen concentrations. Plasma insulin concentrations decreased 1 h after administration of ovine placental lactogen and then increased significantly above baseline concentrations. The results suggest that, like human placental lactogen, ovine placental lactogen is important in the modulation of intermediary metabolism during pregnancy. The sheep is an excellent animal model for the investigation of the physiology of placental lactogen.

Amino Acids↗

Age-related changes in localization of injected radiolabelled lymphocytes in the lymph nodes of antigen-stimulated mice.

The localization of i.v. injected syngeneic lymph node cells, radiolabelled with 51Cr or 75Se-L-selenomethionine, was studied in male CBA/H mice aged between 3 and 30 months. The following results were obtained. (1) Localization of cells from young adult donors was greater in the s.c. lymph nodes of old than of young recipients, the main increase being between 15 and 17 months of age. Increases in lymph node weight and DNA-synthesis were also seen at this time; but the rise in cell localization was significant even when calculated per unit of tissue weight. Splenic localization either declined slightly with age or, like the liver, showed no significant change. (2) Local antigenic stimulation by a single injection of sheep erythrocytes into one front footpad, 24 hr before lymph node cell injection, resulted in increased localization in the regional lymph nodes of 3-17 month old, but rarely of 24-30 month old mice. (3) No consistent differences in localization were observed between lymph node cells from 4-month and 25-month old donors. Both age-related and antigen-related increases in cell localization were at least partly attributable to an enhanced rate of entry of lymphocytes from the blood to the lymph nodes. Although the changes underlying the decline in antigen-related localization of cells in old recipients have still to be clarified, it is probable that the defective immune responses of old mice result partly from this decline.

Aging↗

Development of the sheep as an animal model to study placental lactogen physiology.

Ovine placental lactogen, purified from term sheep cotyledons, has been found to have chemical and biologic properties similar to those of human placental lactogen, ovine growth hormone, and ovine prolactin. OPL stimulates lactation in vivo and in vitro and binds to prolactin and growth hormone membrane receptors. Its binding to growth hormone receptors is approximately 20 times greater than that of hPL, suggesting that its somatotrophic potency is greater than that of hPL. Preliminary in vivo studies in the sheep indicate that oPL affects maternal carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism and that its effects are, in part, similar to those of hPL and growth hormone.

Animals↗

Effect of prostaglandins (E2 and A2) on the enzymatic reaction of human renin in isolated homologous system and with added normal and hypertensive plasma.

1. Prostaglandin E2 significantly inhibits the renin reaction in whole plasma as well as in the isolated system of semi-purified human renin and human renin substrate. The inhibitory effect of prostaglandin A2 was less marked in whole plasma and absent in the isolated system. 2. The inhibitory effect of prostaglandin E2 was more marked in normal than hypertensive plasma and was maximal at the lowest concentration used. In hypertensive plasma the maximal inhibitory effect was achieved at tenfold higher concentrations. 3. In normal plasma prostaglandin E2 does not affect the rate of product formation (k5 = k6), but inhibits the overall renin reaction by decreasing the total amount of available enzyme-substrate and enzyme--substrate modifier complex (K2 less than K3). 4. In hypertensive plasma prostaglandin E2 acts as a potential accelerator of the rate of product formation (k6 greater than k5). In the range of substrate concentration employed, the apparent inhibitory effect is explained by an even greater lack of available complex (K less than K3). This behaviour in hypertensive plasma is consistent with the presence of an additional modifier (? activator).

Humans↗

Pulmonary microembolism associated with massive transfusion: II. The basic pathophysiology of its pulmonary effects.

In animals pulmonary hypertension, a decrease in total body O2 consumption and metabolic acidosis occur after transfusion of blood with an elevated screen filtration pressure (SFP) through standard blood transfusion filters. The purpose of this study was to define in detail the pulmonary abnormalities that develop following transfusion of blood with an elevated SFP through standard blood transfusion filters. Exchange transfusions of approximately twice blood volume were administered through standard commercially available blood transfusion filters (measured pore size--200 microns) to 6 animals. SFP measurements verified the presence of large numbers of aggregates in the transfusions. Although filters reduced SFP of the stored blood somewhat, numerous microaggregates passed the filters, and post-filtration SFP remained high. After transfusion average O2 consumption decreased to 77% of normal and metabolic acidosis developed. Pulmonary arterial hypertension was associated with an increase in pulmonary shunting of blood and a decrease in pulmonary diffusing capacity. The presence of extensive numbers of microemboli in the pulmonary arteriolar and capillary bed was confirmed by microscopic examination of lung tissue.

Acidosis↗

A comparison in vivo dacron wool (Swank) and polyester mesh (Pall) micropore blood transfusion filters in the prevention of pulmonary microembolism associated with massive transfusion.

Experiments were performed to compare the effectiveness in vivo of the two most widely used micropore blood transfusion filters in preventing detrimental physiologic changes associated with transfusion of microaggregate-containing blood. Exchange transfusion with stored blood having an elevated screen filtration pressure (SFP) through polyester mesh (Pall) filters (Group PM) was followed by decreases in arterial blood pH and O2 consumption, increases in arterial blood pyruvate and lactate concentrations, and a decrease in pulmonary DO2. The lungs of 5 of 6 animals revealed emboli far out in the pulmonary microcirculation. These changes did not occur in animals transfused through dacron wool (Swank) filters (Group DW). Even though an increase after transfusion in pulmonary Qs/Qt in Group PM did not achieve statistical significance when compared to pretransfusion Qs/Qt, it was significantly higher than that in animals in Group DW. Both filters removed considerable quantities of microaggregates; however, the polyester mesh (Pall) filters permitted passage of small microaggregates and development of ditrimental physiologic changes. Dacron wool (Swank) filters completely removed measurable microaggregates and detrimental changes did not occur.

Animals↗

Effect of intravascular cellular aggregate dissolution in postoperative patients.

It was the purpose of this study to confirm whether the increase in packed cell (PC) viscosity that occurs in humans after elective surgery is accompanied by a decrease in total body O2 consumption as previously noted in animals, and further to define the effect of resolution of intravascular cellular aggregates (ICA) on these parameters. Thirty nine patients were studied. Total body O2 consumption was 76% of normal 6 hours postop, 81% of normal 24 hours postop and 87% of normal 48 hours postop. Twenty four hours after operation PC viscosity and increased markedly. Saline infusion had no significant effect on total body O2 consumption or PC viscosity, either pre- or postop, but WB viscosity decreased linearly in proportion in the drop in hematocrit. Resolution of ICA by dextran-40 infusion was associated with return of total body O2 consumption and PC viscosity to normal; a decrease in WB viscosity was disproportionately greater than would have been seen had the decrease been due solely to the drop in hematocrit. It is concluded that in humans surgical trauma causes an increase in PC viscosity and microcirculatory impairment as evidenced by a decrease in total body O2 consumption. Resolution of ICA by dextran-40 infusion reverses that detrimental changes.

Animals↗