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Biomedical subjects

J F Sullivan

Publications and source records attributed to J F Sullivan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Serum levels of selenium, calcium, copper magnesium, manganese and zinc in various human diseases.

Serum selenium as well as serum zinc, copper, magnesium, calcium and manganese were investigated in a control group of adult males and in 11 groups of patients in various disease states. Not only the change of each trace element but also the possible association between elements was studied in the various groups. All patients were fasting when sampled and studied only after the acute phase of the disease was corrected. Trace metal determinations were performed by atomic absorption spectrophometry (Mg, Ca, Cu, Zn) and by neutron activation analysis (Se, Mn). All patients showed low serum zinc when compared to controls. Cirrhotic patients had a low serum selenium level as well as low calcium, magnesium and zinc. Emphysemia and cancer patients had an elevated serum copper concentration while copper and manganese levels were elevated in congestive heart failure, infection and pschoses. To our knowledge this is the first time low serum selenium values have been demonstrated to be associated with the low serum zinc, calcium and magnesium levels found in cirrhotic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Trace element composition of ascitic fluid.

The relationship between trace elements in the serum and ascites of the cirrhotic patient was investigated because there is an interchange of protein, particularly albumin, between serum and ascitic fluid. To study this relationship, serum and ascitic fluid were obtained from 13 patients with biopsy-proved Laennec's cirrhosis. The trace element content of the ascitic fluid studied was less (22% to 73%) than that in serum. Protein fractions were all decreased in ascitic fluid compared with serum. Levels of zinc, calcium, copper, selenium in ascitic fluid correlated well with the ascitic fluid protein fractions. Thus, the trace element composition of ascitic fluid differed appreciably from that of serum, and seemed to correlate with the protein composition of the ascitic fluid in the case of zinc, copper, calcium, and selenium.

Aged↗
PubMed1978

Laboratory-acquired infections at the National Animal Disease Center 1960--1976.

Experience with exposure to, or infection with pathogenic agents at the National Animal Disease Center is summarized. A total of 60 laboratory-associated exposures to infectious disease agents were reported. Forty-nine exposures resulted from known accidents, but the other 11 were identified only after the development of clinical or serological manifestations of infection. Eighteen cases of laboratory-acquired infections were reviewed. Brucellosis, the most frequently reported laboratory-acquired infection, accounted for one-half of the cases summarized. Three cases of leptospirosis, two cases of Newcastle disease, two cases of ringworm, and a single infection with Mycobacterium bovis and with Salmonella arizonae were also encountered. The most frequently reported causes of exposure were: auto-inoculation or spray exposure associated with the use of the hypodermic syringe, cuts or lacerations, direct contact with infected animals, and mouth pipetting. Although the infecting event could not be identified in 11 infections, presumptive evidence suggests aerogenic transmission as a probable route of exposure in a number of such cases.

Animal Diseases↗
PubMed1978

Decreased taste and smell acuity in cirrhosis.

The sensory modalities of taste and smell were evaluated in eight patients with cirrhosis that was proved by biopsy specimens and in 13 control subjects. Additionally, the following serum levels were determined in these same subjects: zinc, copper, magnesium, calcium, manganese, and selenium. Fourteen concentrations each of sucrose, sodium chloride, urea, and hydrochloric acid were used to evaluate taste acuity. Smell was evaluated with 11 concentrations each of nitrobenzene, thiophene, and pyridine. These studies show that decreased acuity of taste and smell occurred in conjunction with cirrhosis in the patients who were tested. There were no trace element abnormalities that consistently correlated with decreased acuity in perception of the individual test substances.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Intestinal angina.

The outlook for chronic ischemic disease of the intestine must stress several factors: (1) the clinical entity is uncommon, (2) vascular occlusion is common, (3) diagnosis is most difficult, and (4) angiography is indispensable for diagnosis, but the procedure is not without hazard. Proper evaluation of all factors, with proper selection of patients who would benefit from revascularization procedures, is essential. The future evaluation and alleviation of ischemic bowel disease may well depend on skills of the past, i.e., a thorough, painstaking history of the existing illness.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1978

Chronic idiopathic pseudo-obstructive bowel disease.

An illness characterized by recurrent episodes of small bowel obstruction is described. The patient, a 79-year old gentleman has been followed for 20 years. During this time he has hospitalized 19 times. Extensive investigation, including three exploratory laparotomies, have failed to show a cause of the bowel dysfunction. The clinical findings have been similar on each admission. Cramping abdominal pain, vomiting, obstipation often followed by diarrhea, tender distended abdomen, high pitched bowel sounds and abdominal x-rays revealed dilatation of small and large intestine and delayed gastric emptying on various admissions. The failure to demonstrate a recognized etiology for the repeated bowel obstruction over a long period of time warrants a clinical diagnosis of chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (C.I.I.P.). The age of the patient at the onset of symptoms and the duration of the dysfunction prompted a review of the literature. Twenty-seven reported cases allowed a comparison of this case with the clinical features previously described. Symptomatic therapy, consisting of small bowel decompression by intestinal intubation during the acute episode, was followed by the use of elemental diets given slowly and continuously during the convalescing period. The patient continues to be comfortable and able to maintain his body weight between episodes which, however, seem to be increasing in frequency.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

Trace element contamination of intravenous solutions.

The trace element content of various intravenous solutions was investigated, using atomic absorption and neutron activation analysis methods. The variable content of zinc, calcium, and magnesium led us to seek a source of contamination. Quantities of zinc ranging from 10.75 mug to 132 mug were leached from the rubber stoppers when placed in 0.1N nitric acid for a period of 96 hours. Calcium and magnesium were also leached from the stoppers, but in lesser amounts.

Calcium↗
PubMed1975

Clinical effects of bilateral nephrectomy.

The effects of removal of all renal tissue on hematopoiesis, osteodystrophy, blood pressure regulation and metabolic functions are reviewed; and, the indications for, and results of, bilateral nephrectomy are discussed. Nephrectomy results in a more severe anemia in dialysis patients which is poorly responsive to androgen therapy. No differences were detected in the severity of osteodystrophy between nephric and anephric patients. However, bilateral nephrectomy can occasionally result in the acute onset of hypocalcemia. Blood pressure regulation must be accomplished in the absence of a functioning renin-angiotensin system. This is largely on the basis of volume, but changes in vascular tone may also be significant. Little is known about the metabolic consequences of nephrectomies. The effect on substances metabolized by the kidney is an area for further investigation. Kidney tissue should be preserved, if at all possible, and nephrectomy performed only for specific indications.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Endogenous fatty acids in alimentary triglyceridemia in normolipemic young males.

The contribution of endogenous triglyceride fatty acids (TGFA) in alimentary lipemia was studied in ten normolipemic males under 26 years. Serum, drawn before and during absorption of 50 ml of corn oil, was separated by ultracentrifugation into two fractions, one containing chylomicrons (Sf is less than 400), the second containing all other lipoproteins (Sf is less than 400). The percent of dietary triglyceride fatty acid in each fraction of the postprandial samples was calculated using triglyceride fatty acid percent composition patterns in the meal and each fraction of the fasting and postprandial samples. Corn oil was chosen for the meal because it differs considerably from fasting serum in percent of palmitic (16:0) and linoleic (18.2) acids. The endogenous triglyceride fatty acid in the chylomicron fraction remained constant during the absorption period, while the dietary triglyceride fatty acids reached a peak level of 63 percent of the total at 4 hours and decreased to 50 percent by 8 hours. In the nonchylomicron lipoprotein fraction, the dietary triglyceride fatty acids increased throughout the test period to 29 percent of total triglyceride fatty acids at 8 hours. At 2 hours endogenous triglyceride fatty acids showed a slight increase relative to the fasting level, then decreased continuously at a slow rate so that by 8 hours it was below the fasting level. These data suggest that during alimentary triglyceridemia, dietary triglyceride fatty acies incorporated into chylomicrons during absorption are rapidly released in the serum as free fatty acids and subsequently utilized in hepatic lipoprotein production and secretion. The data also indicate that circulating endogenous triglyceride fatty acids play a role in alimentary triglyceridemia by remaining essentially constant during early and peak periods and then decreaseing to aid in the subsequent recovery.

Chylomicrons↗