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Biomedical subjects

J E Carlson

Publications and source records attributed to J E Carlson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Perils of polypharmacy: 10 steps to prudent prescribing.

A focused, systematic intervention by the primary care physician can often remedy the problem of polypharmacy in older patients. Such an approach includes medication disclosure, drug identification, side effect recognition, treatment review, and a thoughtful, well-monitored reduction in the numbers and doses of medicines. By developing skillful prescribing habits, the physician can resolve drug side effects, prevent future adverse reactions, reduce pharmacy expenditures, and improve medication compliance. Prudent prescribing is one way to improve quality of life for the older patient.

Aged↗

A beta-glucosidase from lodgepole pine xylem specific for the lignin precursor coniferin.

Coniferin, the glucoside of the monolignol coniferyl alcohol, accumulates to high levels in gymnosperms during spring-cambial reactivation. A cinnamyl alcohol glucoside/beta-glucosidase system is thought to play a key role in lignification by releasing the monolignol aglycones. Investigation of such an enzyme system in the xylem of Pinus contorta var latifolia Engelm. revealed two major beta-glucosidases. One efficiently hydrolyzed the native substrate, coniferin, and the other was more active against synthetic glucosides. The coniferin beta-glucosidase was purified to apparent homogeneity using anion exchange, hydrophobic interaction, and size-exclusion chromatography. The apparent native molecular weight was estimated to be 60,000. A dominant 28-kD protein and a minor 24-kD protein were detected in the purified preparation following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Immunological evidence from polyclonal antibodies directed against the synthetic N-terminal peptide of the 24-kD protein suggested that the native protein is a dimer of 28-kD subunit size. The N-terminal sequence showed that coniferin beta-glucosidase has high homology to known plant beta-glucosidases. Coniferin, syringin, and a synthetic coniferin analog were preferred substrates for the coniferin beta-glucosidase. In situ localization using the chromogenic coniferin analog showed the exclusive presence of beta-glucosidase activity in the differentiating xylem, similar to peroxidase activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

RNA editing in the mitochondria of a conifer.

A 712-base portion of the mitochondrial gene coxI and the corresponding portion of the coxI transcript were amplified by PCR and by RT-PCR, respectively, from the gymnosperm western red cedar. Sequence comparison of amplified coxI DNA and mRNA revealed 26 C-to-U differences that are best explained by RNA editing of the type known to occur in angiosperms. This finding suggests that mitochondrial RNA-editing of the C-to-U type arose before the divergence of gymnosperms and angiosperms and can be considered a feature common to all higher plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Portal vein reflectors: duplex sonographic appearance.

Duplex sonography has established utility in the noninvasive evaluation of the portal venous system. Recently, the duplex sonographic features of suspected portal venous air have been described. We report on an experimental study in dogs undertaken to establish if the same sonographic features could be reproduced in a laboratory setting and to determine if small fragments of clot emboli could produce similar gray-scale and Doppler findings. Injections of microbubbles of air and clot fragments into the portal venous system were monitored using duplex ultrasound. The gray-scale and Doppler features of flow in the main portal vein were indistinguishable in both microbubble and clot injections. Superimposition of high-amplitude spikes on the normal portal venous waveform was seen in 19 of 24 (79%) microbubble and 13 of 23 (56%) clot fragment injections. We conclude that the appearance of rapidly moving, bright intraluminal echoes coupled with spike-like aberrations of the portal venous waveform can be associated with portal venous air bubbles or small blood clot emboli.

Animals↗

Single tree genetic linkage mapping in conifers using haploid DNA from megagametophytes.

We report a unique application of the Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique for genetic linkage mapping of a single spruce tree using haploid DNA from megagametophyte tissue of individual seeds. Sixty-one segregating loci were analysed for reproducibility, inheritance and linkage. Forty-seven of the 61 markers were distributed into 12 linkage groups and covered 873.8 cM. The 14 markers not associated with any linkage group should be assigned to linkage groups as more markers are added to the map. This new approach quickly provides molecular genetic markers that are simple to evaluate for constructing genetic linkage maps and for other related genetic studies in forest tree species.

Base Composition↗

Safety considerations in the power injection of contrast media via central venous catheters during computed tomographic examinations.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: This study addresses the theoretical, experimental, and clinical application of using a central venous catheter system (CVS) for the rapid injection of contrast media during computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Application of Poiseuille's law and the Reynolds equation yielded theoretical data. In-line pressures were measured in experimental models and patients undergoing CT. Diatrizoate meglumine and iohexal contrast media were evaluated. RESULTS: The Reynolds number was consistent with laminar flow, allowing the application of Poiseuille's law. The calculated and experimental catheter tubing-chamber connection pressures were safe for both contrast media, at rates of 1 mL/second for long catheter tubing and 2 mL/second for short tubing. Thirteen patients had measured pressures within safety limits with no complications. CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes that power injection of contrast media via a CVS during CT is a safe procedure. Benefits include no need for peripheral intravenous catheter placement, decreased paramedical staff radiation exposure, and improved CT image quality.

Catheterization, Central Venous↗

Thrombectomy with the transluminal endarterectomy catheter (TEC) system: experimental study and case report.

The transluminal endarterectomy catheter (TEC) system was employed as a percutaneous rotational mechanical thrombectomy device in 1-week-old thrombi in five dogs (five thrombosed polytetrafluoroethylene grafts and four thrombosed native superficial femoral arteries). Luminal patency was restored in all vessels with no angiographic evidence of significant distal embolization. The TEC catheter was also successfully used for recanalization of the superior vena cava in a patient with superior vena cava syndrome.

Animals↗

Urokinase-mediated thrombolysis: a dose-response relationship in cats. Work in progress.

A cat model was developed to study thrombolytic agents. The infrarenal aorta was surgically exposed, all side branches were ligated, and both ends of the segment were occluded. After preformed clot was injected into the segment, proximal flow was restored and a distal stenosis was created. Urokinase was infused at rates varying from 4,000 to 250,000 U/h. Amount of remaining clot was quantified every 15 minutes with cine angiography. Pre- and postinfusion measurements of prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, and levels of fibrinogen and fibrin degradation products were obtained. A graph of thrombolysis rate versus infusion rate was obtained yielding maximal thrombolytic activity at 126,000 U/h and 90% of maximal activity at an infusion rate of 70,000 U/h. Levels of fibrin degradation products did not change. Prothrombin, partial thromboplastin, and thrombin times increased with increasing infusion rates, leveling off at 100,000 U/h, while fibrinogen levels decreased, with a plateau at 50,000 U/h.

Animals↗

Nonselective and semiselective catheters for renal artery evaluation: experimental study.

Abdominal aortography is widely used for evaluation of potential renal donors and for patients with renal failure or hypertension in whom a renal artery ostial or polar branch stenosis is suspected. It would be desirable to use a catheter that consistently enables good bilateral renal artery and polar branch visualization without opacification of overlying mesenteric vessels. Existing and newly designed catheters were compared to determine the optimal design necessary for these studies. An in vitro model of the abdominal aorta and its branches was made, and dye dilution densitometry was employed for quantitative evaluation. Semiselective catheters demonstrated significantly increased renal artery opacification with decreased mesenteric opacification in this in vitro model.

Aorta, Abdominal↗

Nitinol gooseneck snare for removal of foreign bodies: experimental study and clinical evaluation.

The authors describe their use of a new right-angle snare made of nickel-titanium (nitinol) cable for retrieval of foreign bodies and iatrogenically placed devices. The snare loop is at right angles to the cable and comes in five sizes (5, 10, 15, 25, and 35 mm); its radiographic visualization is enhanced by gold-plated tungsten coils. This snare was used to retrieve wire and catheter fragments introduced into the thoracic vasculature of four dogs. Eleven of 13 attempts were successful. Three attempts to retrieve intravascular foreign bodies were successful in two patients; in one of these patients, a 10-mm snare was used to remove a fractured end of a ventriculoatrial shunt tube from the left pulmonary artery. In three other patients, four ureteral stents were successfully removed under fluoroscopic guidance. All retrievals were performed through a vascular sheath and with standard techniques and angiographic equipment. No complications were seen in any of the patients or dogs.

Alloys↗

Clot-trapper device for transjugular thrombectomy from the inferior vena cava.

The clot-trapper device for transjugular thrombectomy was used in 10 dogs with acute thrombosis and two dogs with chronic thrombosis. In eight of these animals, the clots were trapped with the clot-trapper device, then a mechanical thrombectomy device was used to destroy the clots. In 10 animals, including eight with in vitro thrombi and two with in situ thrombi, thrombi were efficiently trapped with the clot-trapper device. In two animals, pulmonary embolism occurred because of a discrepancy between the diameter of the inferior vena cava and the diameter of the bag opening. After increasing the size of the loop to match the diameter of the inferior vena cava, trapping of all thrombi was possible in both experiments (acute and chronic thrombosis). The clot-trapper device, in conjunction with an embolectomy balloon catheter and/or a mechanical thrombectomy device, facilitates the removal of thrombi from the inferior vena cava and iliac veins.

Animals↗

Thrombogenicity of hydrophilically coated guide wires and catheters.

The thrombogenicities of stainless steel spring guide wires and two hydrophilically coated guide wires were compared. The guide wires were placed in canine femoral arteries for 30 minutes. The guide wires were removed, the thrombi were stripped off, and the clots were weighed. Clot weights obtained with the two hydrophilically coated guide wires were significantly less than those obtained with the stainless steel spring guide wires. The thrombogenicities of hydrophilically coated catheters and noncoated nylon catheters were compared with and without the use of heparin. Carotid arteries, jugular veins, femoral arteries, and femoral veins were used. Catheters were left in place for 45 minutes. The animals were heparinized and killed. The vessels were then removed en bloc with the catheter clamped in place. The vessels were incised, and the clot was removed and weighed. In arterial and venous catheterization, no significant difference in clot deposition was shown between the hydrophilically coated catheters and the noncoated nylon catheters. A striking reduction of thrombogenicity was achieved with heparinization of the catheters in both arteries and veins.

Angiography↗