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Biomedical subjects

J D Morgan

Publications and source records attributed to J D Morgan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A prospective randomized trial of three different sizes of core-cutting needle for renal transplant biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Needle-core biopsy remains one of the most important investigations in cases of renal allograft dysfunction. The size and quality of the biopsy material are likely to be important factors in achieving an accurate diagnosis. The aim of this study was to compare the success and complication rates of renal transplant biopsy procedures using three differently sized needles. METHODS: One hundred renal allograft recipients undergoing transplant biopsy using an automated needle core method were randomized to a 14, 16, or 18 gauge (G) needle. The size of each biopsy core was measured, and the presence or absence of renal cortical and medullary tissue and the number of glomeruli were recorded. Assessments of the ease with which the procedure was performed, the diagnostic usefulness of the biopsy material, and the discomfort associated with the procedure were made using verbal response and linear analog scales. RESULTS: Fourteen G biopsy cores (N = 33) were larger than both 16G (N = 33) and 18G (N = 34) cores and contained more gomeruli (mean number for 14G, 16G, and 18G = 15, 11 and 9, respectively). There were no differences in the ease of use of the three needle types, but scores for diagnostic usefulness were higher for 14G versus 18G and 16G versus 18G. The 14G needle was associated with significantly more pain than the two smaller needles when this was assessed using a linear analog score. Macroscopic hematuria occurred in eight patients, but there were no differences in complications rates between the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: All three needle sizes are safe for use in renal allograft biopsy using a semiautomated biopsy gun. The larger needles provide more tissue and glomeruli and, thus, are more diagnostically useful. Use of a 14G needle may be associated with more pain, and the 16G needle appears to offer the best compromise between diagnostic usefulness and patient acceptability.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Synthesis and properties of 2-(naphthosultamyl)methyl-carbapenems with potent anti-MRSA activity: discovery of L-786,392.

A series of 1beta-methyl-2-(naphthosultamyl)methyl-carbapenems bearing dicationic groups on the naphthosultamyl moiety was prepared and evaluated for activity against resistant gram-positive bacteria. Based on a combination of excellent in vitro antibacterial activity, acceptable mouse acute toxicity, and a desirable fragmentation pattern on beta-lactam ring opening, the analog 2g (L-786,392) was selected for extended evaluation.

Animals↗

Energy cost of NaCl transport in isolated gills of cutthroat trout.

Few studies have made direct estimates of the energy required for ion transport in gills of freshwater (FW) and seawater (SW) fish. Oxygen consumption was measured in excised gill tissue of FW-adapted cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki) to estimate the energy cost of NaCl transport in that osmoregulatory organ. Ouabain (0.5 mM) and bafilomycin A1 (1 microM) were used to inhibit the Na+-K+ and H+ pumps, respectively. Both inhibitors significantly decreased gill tissue oxygen consumption, accounting for 37% of total tissue respiration. On a whole mass basis, the cost of NaCl uptake in the FW trout gill was estimated to be 1.8% of whole animal oxygen uptake. An isolated, saline-perfused gill arch preparation was also used to compare gill energetics in FW- and SW-adapted trout. The oxygen consumption of FW gills was significantly (33%) higher than SW gills. On a whole animal basis, total gill oxygen consumption in FW and SW trout accounted for 3.9 and 2.4% of resting metabolic rate, respectively. The results of both experiments suggest that the energy cost of NaCl transport in FW and SW trout gills represents a relatively small (<4%) portion of the animal's total energy budget.

Animals↗

Giant cell tumor and the skeletally immature patient.

Conventional wisdom suggests that giant cell tumor (GCT) does not occur in the skeletally immature individual; however, we believe that GCTs of bone, though rare, do occur in children. We are reporting the occurrence of GCT of bone in three patients who were skeletally immature at the time of their initial presentation. In our review of the reports since 1954 that document this condition, we were also able to find a total of 318 patients, of whom 130 were skeletally immature at the time of their tumor presentation. From the data compiled, we found a 7.5% incidence of GCT of bone in skeletally immature individuals at a mean age of 10.5 years. Based on our review and the experience with our three patients, we believe the diagnosis of GCT of bone should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a destructive lesion of bone in skeletally immature individuals. Giant cell tumor in the skeletally immature is being reported here to better define its incidence and increase awareness of its occurrence. Management options will also be discussed.

Adolescent↗

Lack of correlation of soluble E-selectin level with renal transplant rejection.

E-Selectin is a 115-kDa cell surface glycoprotein transiently expressed on vascular endothelium in response to interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha with a peak in expression at four hours. Its distribution in transplant biopsies has been associated with inflammatory events such as allograft rejection. Recently, a soluble isoform of E-selectin has been detected in the culture medium of cytokine activated endothelial cells by an ELISA method. In this study soluble E-selectin levels in renal allograft recipients were compared with the incidence of rejection, acute tubular necrosis (ATN), cyclosporin A (CyA) toxicity, and use of orthoclone OKT3 (muromonab-CD3) to establish whether early endothelial activation and inflammatory damage could be detected. The mean soluble E-selectin level in normal volunteers was 89 ng/ml serum compared to 120 ng/ml for a group of chronic renal failure patients. Soluble E-selectin levels declined upon transplantation but this was not significant, nor was the difference in samples from patients experiencing rejection, ATN or CyA toxicity. A dramatic and sustained rise in soluble E-selectin levels was found within 24 hours of the first dose of OKT3 treatment. This study shows that soluble E-selectin does not provide early unequivocal indication of pathological sequelae in renal transplantation, although extensive endothelial activation can be demonstrated with OKT3 treatment.

Biomarkers↗

Triple therapy and incidence of de novo cancer in renal transplant recipients.

Some 27 (5.5 per cent) of 492 renal transplant recipients developed de novo cancer between January 1975 and December 1991. Patients administered triple therapy of prednisolone, cyclosporin A and azathioprine had a significantly higher incidence of cancer (seven of 40 patients; 17.5 per cent) than those given prednisolone with cyclosporin (14 of 319; 4.4 per cent) and azathioprine with prednisolone (six of 133; 4.5 per cent) (P = 0.005). In a prospective study between January 1989 and December 1992, 110 renal transplant patients were randomized into three immunosuppressive regimens at the time of transplantation. The incidence of cancer in patients receiving low-dose cyclosporin, azathioprine and prednisolone was three of 45, in those given high-dose cyclosporin and prednisolone none of 23 and in those administered high-dose cyclosporin, nifedipine and prednisolone one of 29. The addition of azathioprine to ongoing maintenance cyclosporin and prednisolone therapy is useful in a subgroup of patients with graft dysfunction, but there are possibly higher risks in the development of de novo carcinoma.

Adolescent↗

The importance of E-selectin as a marker for renal transplant rejection.

Vascular endothelial cells express membrane bound adhesion molecules which play a direct role in the localization and subsequent movement of leucocytes from the blood into sites of inflammation. E-Selectin is a cytokine induced adhesion molecule, known to be expressed by endothelial cells in inflammatory conditions, which binds to various leucocyte subpopulations. In a prospective study we have investigated the expression and distribution of E-selectin on renal allograft needle biopsies taken from 16 pretransplant kidneys and 119 post-transplant kidneys. Post-transplant biopsies were taken at times of graft dysfunction and at times of normal graft function. Formal histology was also performed and assessed independently. E-Selectin was found predominantly on the intertubular endothelium and on the endothelium of larger vessels. E-Selectin was present, at low intensity, in some pretransplant biopsies and also some post-transplant biopsies which were reported histologically as normal. In post-transplant biopsies taken for dysfunction E-selectin was present in the majority of cases. Expression was strong in biopsies showing acute cellular rejection and this was associated with a CD4 positive cellular infiltrate. Biopsies showing other causes of dysfunction, in particular acute tubular necrosis, also were E-selectin and CD4 positive with lower intensity than those with acute cellular rejection. These results suggest that E-selectin is a good marker for endothelial activation in renal transplant biopsies. Its presence in histologically apparently normal biopsies suggests that its in vivo kinetics may differ from previously reported in vitro kinetics. E-Selectin may be a potential target for therapeutic intervention.

Biomarkers↗

Cyclosporin, nifedipine and gingival hyperplasia: a randomized controlled study.

Nifedipine increases the frequency and severity of gingival hyperplasia associated with CyA therapy in renal transplant recipients and this effect appears to be independent of whole-blood CyA levels. De novo malignancies have been reported arising in areas of gingival hyperplasia, in a group already at high risk of malignancy. Patients receiving CyA and nifedipine should receive advice regarding the need for strict oral hygiene to control the initial development of gingival hyperplasia, with severe cases being promptly referred for gingivectomy and histological examination.

Calcium Channel Blockers↗

Point of care and patient privacy: who is in control?

Public and patient access to medical records has been severely limited through policies limiting physical and timely access and intellectual understanding of content. New expectations of patient/public access and control have arisen accompanying the new paradigms of health care delivery and health information (computer-based patient records). Examples from these new paradigms are personalized and presented in information system contexts from bedside to community settings. Patient and family involvement in care delivery, education, assessment, and control of privacy are explored. A personalized confidentiality/security/privacy module of the computer-based patient record is suggested.

Computer Security↗

The histopathology of infrainguinal vein graft stenoses.

The precise histopathological nature of vein graft stenoses is unclear. Some authors have suggested that these lesions are due to intimal hyperplasia and others have claimed that they are fibrous strictures. The aim of this study was to determine the histological nature of infrainguinal vein graft stenoses by examining sections of vein grafts that had developed stenoses and had been surgically revised. This was performed using a combined anti-smooth muscle actin/Millers elastin stain. The results show that vein graft stenoses are due to intimal hyperplasia whereby smooth muscle cells proliferate and cause thickening of the intimal layer.

Aged↗

Isolated vaginal recurrences of endometrial carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The authors undertook this study to evaluate the results of radiation therapy (RT) for vaginal recurrence in early stage endometrial carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1964 and 1987, 34 patients with isolated vaginal recurrences of endometrial carcinoma were treated with RT. The records were reviewed for outcome and prognostic factors, such as location of tumor recurrence, time to recurrence, size of tumor at recurrence, tumor differentiation, and total radiation dose delivered at RT. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 48 months, the 5-year actuarial survival and disease-free survival rates were 68% +/- 4 and 60% +/- 3, respectively. Results were statistically significant for some prognostic factors, including time to tumor recurrence and total radiation dose delivered at RT to the recurring tumor. CONCLUSION: Long-term survival can be obtained for patients with an isolated vaginal recurrence of endometrial cancer treated with aggressive local-regional radiation therapy.

Actuarial Analysis↗