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Biomedical subjects

J Carter

Publications and source records attributed to J Carter.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Invasive vulvar tumors in young women--a disease of the immunosuppressed?

Twenty-seven patients under the age of 40 years were treated for invasive vulvar cancer at the Women's Cancer Center, University of Minnesota. Seventeen patients had Stage I, five patients had Stage II, two patients had Stage III, and two patients had Stage IV disease. Twenty patients (80%) gave a history of smoking. Associated medical and immunosuppressive conditions present in these patients included vulval HPV (N = 3), diabetes mellitus (N = 3), pregnancy (N = 2), autoimmune connective tissue disease (N = 2), renal transplant (N = 2), previous chemotherapy for invasive malignancies at other sites (N = 1), chronic hepatitis (N = 1), schizophrenia (N = 1), and one patient on Imuran for herpes zoster and multiple sclerosis. Two of the nonsmokers were in this group of immunosuppressed patients. Three patients have died of intercurrent disease while another is currently alive with invasive disease. All others are alive without evidence of disease. The mean duration of follow-up is 45.2 months (range, 1-158 months). Invasive vulvar tumors are uncommon in young women. Smoking and a history of an immunosuppressive medical illness is common in this patient population.

Adult↗

Ozone inhalation stimulates expression of a neutrophil chemotactic protein, macrophage inflammatory protein 2.

Short-term exposure of humans and animals to ozone results in increased lung neutrophils; however, the mechanisms underlying this response are not completely understood. We examined the potential involvement of the neutrophil chemotactic factor, macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2), in ozone-induced inflammation. Exposure-response relationships for ozone and MIP-2 expression were characterized by exposing C57B1/6 mice to 0.1-2 ppm ozone for 3 hr and determining lung levels of MIP-2 mRNA 6 hr after exposure. Temporal relationships between ozone and MIP-2 were determined by exposing mice (2 ppm ozone x 3 hr) and characterizing MIP-2 mRNA expression 0, 2, 6, and 24 hr after exposure. Neutrophils in lung lavage fluid were determined in both exposure-response and time course studies. Ozone concentrations > or = 1.0 ppm increased MIP-2 mRNA and this increase corresponded with recruitment of neutrophils. MIP-2 mRNA was increased immediately after ozone exposure and decreased to control levels by 24 hr. To examine the role of direct oxidant effects in ozone-induced MIP-2 expression, alveolar macrophages were exposed in vitro for 4 hr to 10(-10)-10(-5) M hydrogen peroxide and MIP-2 expression was characterized. MIP-2 mRNA levels in lung macrophages were increased by > or = 10(-9) M hydrogen peroxide. In summary, our findings suggest the chemotactic protein MIP-2 may be responsible, at least in part, for ozone-induced increases in lung neutrophils and indicate that direct exposure of alveolar macrophages to an oxidant is sufficient to induce MIP-2 expression.

Administration, Inhalation↗

A clinical computer database entry form for an intraoperative anesthesiology-based transesophageal echocardiography monitoring service.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been increasingly applied to supplement and, in instances, to supplant conventional intraoperative cardiac monitoring. Our body of experience (> 1600 intraoperative TEE procedures), combined with insights gleaned from an intramural quality assurance study, and clinical implications of certain recent advances in the field, led us to develop the following TEE computer database entry form. The form, completed intraoperatively, consists of a patient and surgical procedure demographics section, followed by fields based on the TEE examination. The scans encompass transverse plane basal short axis, long axis, and transgastric views of the heart and great vessels. The two-dimensional echocardiographic, saline-contrast, color flow and pulsed Doppler data represent both right and left ventricular performance, valvular function and specific lesions. This database entry form is intended to serve as a guide for performance of a nominally complete intraoperative study and facilitate maintenance of a TEE archive consistent with current advances.

Anesthesia Department, Hospital↗

Role of endothelin and prostaglandins in radiocontrast-induced renal artery constriction.

Infusion of radiocontrast agents in vivo results in renal artery constriction and subsequent renal hypoperfusion. To examine the role of endothelin and of prostaglandins in radiocontrast-mediated renal vasoconstriction, rats were treated with an endothelin receptor antagonist, CP170687, and with indomethacin. The dose of CP170687 utilized was sufficient to reverse endothelin1-mediated constriction of isolated aortic rings and of renal blood flow in intact rats. In normal rats there was a transient drop in renal blood flow to 80% of baseline following sodium iothalamate injection, an effect which was not prevented by CP170687. In rats first given indomethacin, the drop in renal blood flow was more pronounced (to 63% of baseline) and was sustained. In this instance, CP170687 fully reversed the sustained decrease of renal perfusion. CP170687 also diminished the rise in systemic blood pressure seen following iothalamate injection. In the absence of indomethacin, iothalamate increased urinary prostaglandin E2 to a maximum of sevenfold above baseline values. In summary, injection of radiocontrast results in an immediate decrease in renal blood flow that is counteracted by an increase in renal prostaglandin formation. When prostaglandin synthesis is inhibited, prolonged endothelin-mediated renal vasoconstriction is observed that is reversed by an endothelin receptor antagonist.

Animals↗

Physiological determinants of inspiratory effort sensation during CO2 rebreathing in normal subjects.

1. The physiological basis of inspiratory effort sensation remains uncertain. Previous studies have suggested that pleural pressure, rather than inspiratory muscle fatigue, is the principal determinant of inspiratory effort sensation. However, only a limited range of inspiratory flows and breathing patterns have been examined. We suspected that inspiratory effort sensation was related to the inspiratory muscle tension-time index developed whatever the breathing pattern or load, and that this might explain the additional rise in sensation seen with hypercapnia. 2. To investigate this we measured hypercapnic rebreathing responses in seven normal subjects (six males, age range 21-38 years) with and without an inspiratory resistive load of 10 cm H2O. Pleural and transdiaphragmatic pressures, mouth occlusion pressure and breathing pattern were measured. Diaphragmatic and ribcage tension-time indices were calculated from these data. Inspiratory effort sensation was recorded using a Borg scale at 30s intervals during each rebreathing run. 3. Breathing pattern and inspiratory pressure partitioning were unrelated to changes in inspiratory effort sensation during hypercapnia. Tension-time indices reached pre-fatiguing levels during both free breathing and inspiratory resistive loading. 4. Stepwise multiple regression analysis using pooled mechanical, chemical and breathing pattern variables showed that pleural pressure was more closely related to inspiratory effort sensation than was transdiaphragmatic pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Persistent postmolar gestational trophoblastic disease: use of transvaginal sonography and colour flow Doppler.

Invasive moles have been difficult to diagnose except at hysterectomy. Many patients with persistent gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) have been treated without ever demonstrating the site of the persistent trophoblastic focus. High resolution transvaginal sonography (TVS) has provided a technique of demonstrating very small uterine lesions, previously unsuspected by transabdominal sonography. The addition of colour flow Doppler further increased diagnostic sensitivity and provides another means of monitoring response to therapy. Three patients with persistent GTD, scanned by TVS and CFD (colour flow Doppler) performed as part of their metastatic work-up are presented. The only abnormalities detected were foci demonstrated within the myometrium that demonstrated increased flow on CFD. Single agent chemotherapy was commenced and the patients were monitored periodically through their course with repeat ultrasonography. After an initial lag period, the lesions decreased in size as the beta-HCG titres fell. An unsuspected adnexal mass was diagnosed on 1 patient, later proving to be a mature ovarian teratoma.

Adult↗

Oxygen desaturation and breathlessness during corridor walking in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: effect of oxitropium bromide.

BACKGROUND: Although exercise induced desaturation can occur in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), little is known about its frequency during everyday exercise, or how it relates to dyspnoea or prior drug treatment. METHODS: The effects of 200 micrograms inhaled oxitropium bromide, an anticholinergic bronchodilator drug, on spirometric values, dyspnoea score, and oxygen saturation during corridor walking and cycle ergometry were studied in a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled study. RESULTS: Oxitropium produced a small increase in forced expired volume in one second (FEV1) from 0.76 (0.28) 1 to 0.93 (0.69) 1 and in six minute walking distance from 311 (93) m to 332 (86) m, but did not change progressive cycle exercise duration. Resting and end exercise breathlessness levels were reduced in both forms of exercise after oxitropium. Resting oxygen saturation fell significantly after active bronchodilator from 92.9% (3.7%) to 92.0% (4.1%) but the nadir saturation during exercise was unchanged. The patients desaturated more during corridor walking than cycle ergometry [walking 7.8% (4.4%), cycle ergometry 2.1% (2.1%)]. Baseline walking distance was related to FVC, resting breathlessness and resting oxygen saturation (multiple r2 = 0.46) but only resting saturation correlated with end exercise breathlessness (r2 = -0.25). Improvements in symptoms or exercise performance after oxitropium could not be predicted by changes in spirometric indices or oxygen saturation. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with COPD arterial oxygen desaturation during self-paced walking is common, of greater severity than that during cycle ergometry, but is unaffected by inhaled oxitropium bromide. The factors that predict initial performance are not appropriate markers of functional improvement after an active bronchodilator drug.

Double-Blind Method↗

Macrophage inflammatory proteins 1 and 2: expression by rat alveolar macrophages, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells and in rat lung after mineral dust exposure.

Macrophage inflammatory proteins 1 alpha and 2 (MIP-1 alpha, MIP-2) are members of a growing family of cytokines thought to play a role in host defense. MIP-1 alpha and MIP-2 were previously identified in the mouse and shown to stimulate inflammatory cell recruitment. To better understand the potential role of MIP-1 alpha and MIP-2 in lung defense, we investigated the ability of rat lung cells to express mRNA for and/or secrete MIP-1 alpha and MIP-2 proteins in vitro and characterized expression of these cytokines in rat lung after in vivo exposure to silica (SiO2) or titanium dioxide (TiO2). In response to lipopolysaccharide, rat alveolar macrophages expressed increased levels of MIP-1 alpha and MIP-2 mRNA and secreted proteins (identified by N-terminal sequencing) homologous to mouse MIP-1 alpha and MIP-2. Rat alveolar macrophage MIP-1 alpha and MIP-2 mRNA expression was also increased by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) and adherence to plastic. Studies with a rat fibroblast and epithelial cell line demonstrated that MIP-2, but not MIP-1 alpha, expression can be detected in these cells after stimulation with TNF. Intratracheal instillation studies with SiO2 and TiO2 showed that inflammatory doses of these dusts increase MIP-1 alpha and MIP-2 mRNA expression in whole lung and that increased gene expression preceded the accumulation of inflammatory cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Bilateral accessory soleus: a report on four patients with partial fasciectomy.

Four young adults (average age 24 years) presented with complaints of posterior ankle pain after running. Bilateral accessory soleus muscles were diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging or CT scan. Symptoms were present an average of 3 years before diagnosis. Two patients had previous surgery (ankle arthroscopy, tarsal tunnel release, and leg compartment release) before diagnosis and treatment. Obliteration of Kager's triangle (posterior ankle fat pad) was present on six out of eight lateral ankle radiographs. Posteromedial prominence was present on four out of eight ankles. Operative exploration confirmed the presence of five muscles and fasciectomy was performed. Follow-up (17 to 29 months) showed good relief of symptoms in all patients and return to long-distance running for three patients. Dissection of 47 preserved cadavers revealed three accessory soleus muscles in the 94 extremities (two muscles were bilateral in one cadaver).

Adolescent↗

Quality assurance for intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography monitoring: a report of 846 procedures.

We evaluated our experience with 846 consecutive transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) intraoperative monitoring procedures performed between November 1989 and July 1991. TEE frequency was 36 +/- 11 per month (range 16-55) and represented 69.8% of cardiac valve surgery cases, 40.2% of coronary artery bypass graft cases, and 2.2% of total operative caseload. Major patient complications consisted of transient vocal cord paresis and ingestion of glutaraldehyde-disinfectant solution. Minor complications consisted of a chipped tooth (one case) and pharyngeal abrasions (three cases). The Quality Assurance (Q/A) Program evaluated both record keeping and quality of imaging, as judged by cardiologist echocardiographer reviewers. The percentage of completion for each Q/A indicator was as follows: medical record documentation, 88%; database form annotation, 94%; and provision of videotape recording, 91%. TEE database forms were analyzed further in terms of the percentage of fields completed. Completion scores were 73%. The following scoring system was utilized for videotape evaluation by the cardiologists: 1 = excellent; 2 = good; 3 = poor. The median grade for both two-dimensional echocardiography and color flow Doppler (CFD) examinations was 2. Poor quality images (grade 3) were present in 15.2% of two-dimensional echocardiography and 20.3% of color flow Doppler examinations, and disproportionately associated with 4/26 attendings. Supplemental audit of the cardiology reviewers performance demonstrated 569/846 videotapes showed no objective evidence of review. The cardiology reviewer forms of the remaining 277 videotapes were evaluated in terms of the percentage of fields completed. The completion score was 56%. These data suggest the need for formal Q/A for intraoperative TEE, both for anesthesiologists and reviewing cardiologists.

Echocardiography↗

Transvaginal color flow Doppler sonography in the assessment of gestational trophoblastic disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the blood flow characteristics of the uterine artery and intratumoral vessels in patients with GTD. Twelve patients with GTD were evaluated with TVS, and 11 also had CFD sonography performed. Spectral analysis of both uterine artery and samples intratumoral and intramyometrial vessels revealed systolic frequencies and PI that were significantly higher in the uterine artery than in sampled intratumoral vessels (P < 0.05). Uterine artery PI correlated significantly with age (P = 0.043), uterine size (P = 0.003), and beta-HCG titer (P = 0.03). Intratumoral PI correlated significantly with uterine size (P = 0.05). Intratumoral PI did not correlate with patient age, the shape or orientation of the uterus, presence or absence of subendometrial halo, endometrial thickness or echogenicity, or impression of myometrial invasion. Regression analysis of beta-HCG titers on uterine artery and intratumoral PI revealed a linear association. TVS and color flow Doppler sonography are useful in the assessment of patients with GTD. The PI is strongly associated with prognosis and correlates with beta-HCG titers.

Adult↗

Efficacy of dapiprazole with hydroxyamphetamine hydrobromide and tropicamide.

BACKGROUND: Clinical interest in ophthalmic agents to reverse pharmacologically induced mydriasis safely has been attempted for over fifty years. These agents may aid practitioners in assisting the younger patient to regain unable near visual function. METHODS: We evaluated the usefulness of dapiprazole in a private clinical setting. Our study was doubled masked, randomized and used one eye of each subject as a control. Twenty-six consecutive subjects were given dapiprazole as directed by its manufacturer. This administration of dapiprazole followed bilateral pupil dilation with proparacaine 0.5%, hydroxyamphetamine 1.0% and tropicamide 0.25%. Pupil diameter, amplitude of accommodation, intraocular pressure and conjunctival injection were each evaluated prior to instillation of the diagnostic agents, immediately before the instillation of dapiprazole and at 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes after the final instillation of dapiprazole. RESULTS: The average pupillary recovery time for dapiprazole-treated eyes was similar to previously published data. Accommodation also showed significant recovery, with comfortable reading ability returning by approximately 45 minutes. CONCLUSION: The design of our study did not permit us to determine what portion of accommodation recovery if any was attributable to a ciliary muscle effect and what portion may have resulted from the increased depth of field attending pupillary constriction.

Accommodation, Ocular↗

Developmental regulation of basement membrane deposition.

The expression and localisation of the basement membrane glycoprotein laminin in tissues are two factors that determine to what extent it can influence cell behaviour during development. In order to begin to unravel the potential functions of laminin in vivo, the mechanisms regulating its expression, structure and stabilization in the basement membranes of developing tissues are discussed.

Animals↗

Borderline and invasive epithelial ovarian tumors in young women.

OBJECTIVE: To review the occurrence, morbidity, and mortality of borderline and invasive epithelial ovarian tumors in young women. METHODS: We conducted a 15-year retrospective review of the case records of the Women's Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, and the JL McKelvey Tumor Registry. RESULTS: We identified 67 patients under age 40 with borderline or invasive epithelial ovarian tumors. Fifty patients (75%) had borderline tumors and 17 (25%) had invasive tumors. The mean age at presentation was 31 years (range 14-39) for the borderline group and 34 years (range 23-39) for the invasive group. Pelvic pain and a palpable mass, present for less than 6 months, were the predominant presenting symptom and sign. There was no difference in the age at menarche between the patients with borderline (mean 12 years) and invasive tumors (mean 13 years). Fifty-seven patients were optimally cytoreduced to less than 2.0 cm after primary surgery. Thirty-five patients underwent second-look laparotomy, 15 of which were positive for tumor. A minority of patients in both groups had stage I tumors (17 in the borderline and one in the invasive group). Among patients with borderline tumors, there was no difference between "very young" and "young" patients in the stage at presentation or outcome. Similar proportions of patients presented with early- and late-stage disease. Three very young women (14%) and five young women (17%) have died. Among patients with invasive tumors, no difference existed between young and very young patients for stage at presentation, whereas grade and outcome differed significantly between the age groups (P < .05). Very young patients were more likely to present with grade 1 lesions, whereas patients aged 30-40 years were more likely to have grade 2 or 3 tumors (P < .05). Three (100%) of the very young patients have died, whereas seven (50%) of the young patients aged 30-40 years have died. The median survival of patients with borderline tumors was 36 months (range 2.0-150.5), significantly different from those with invasive tumors, whose median survival was 21 months (range 2.9-89.7) (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Borderline and invasive epithelial ovarian tumors are encountered in young women. Despite the implication of the term "borderline," such tumors are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality.

Adolescent↗