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Biomedical subjects

J K Williams

Publications and source records attributed to J K Williams.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Prelabeled red nucleus and sensorimotor cortex neurons of the rat survive 10 and 20 weeks after spinal cord transection.

To demonstrate definitively the fate of the somata of rubrospinal and corticospinal neurons axotomized by a complete spinal cord transection at T-9, in young adult rats we prelabeled the neurons by injection into the lumbar enlargement of a retrogradely transported fluorescent dye, Fluoro-Gold, and four days later transected the cord. We found no loss in cell number ten or 20 weeks after axotomy. The average size of the neurons in each case is slightly but significantly reduced. These findings unequivocally demonstrate that the somata of long tract neurons of the rubrospinal and corticospinal systems persist in an atrophic and presumably inactive state for at least 20 weeks, and raise the possibility that treatment of spinal cord injury may normalize cell activity and allow long tract regeneration.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effects of reflex stimuli on blood flow to the adrenal medulla.

The goal of this study was to examine changes in blood flow to the adrenal medulla during reflex stimuli that release catecholamines. Adrenal blood flow was measured with microspheres during exercise in conscious dogs and during bicuculline-induced seizures in anesthetized dogs. In awake dogs, blood flow to the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla was 310 +/- 48 and 1,613 +/- 258 (SE) ml.min-1.100 g-1, respectively. Blood flow to the cortex and medulla was not affected by moderate exercise. Anesthesia (pentobarbital sodium) reduced blood flow to the adrenal cortex and medulla to 158 +/- 12 and 243 +/- 24 ml.min-1.100 g-1, respectively. In anesthetized dogs, seizures markedly increased blood flow to the adrenal medulla (282 +/- 68 to 1,257 +/- 128 ml.min-1.100 g-1), and this response was blocked by sectioning the greater splanchnic nerve. Vasodilator responses of the adrenal medulla to adenosine were not impaired by adrenal denervation. Blood flow to the adrenal cortex was not affected by seizures but increased in response to intravenous adenosine. These findings suggest that 1) anesthesia decreases adrenal blood flow, particularly to the adrenal medulla, and 2) reflex stimuli that release catecholamines can produce selective increases in blood flow to the adrenal medulla.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1989

Atherosclerosis potentiates constrictor responses of cerebral and ocular blood vessels to thromboxane in monkeys.

The goal of our study was to examine the effects of infusion of serotonin and the thromboxane A2 analogue U46619 into one carotid artery to stimulate their release from platelets during aggregation. We measured blood flow to the brain and eye using microspheres and cerebral microvascular pressure in the pial arteries of normal and atherosclerotic cynomolgus monkeys. Unilateral intracarotid infusion of 10-30 micrograms/min serotonin did not affect cerebral blood flow in normal or atherosclerotic monkeys; serotonin did not alter blood flow to the eye in normal monkeys but decreased flow to the retina and choroid in atherosclerotic monkeys by 39 +/- 11% and 44 +/- 10% (mean +/- SEM), respectively. Infusion of 30 ng/min U46619 did not alter cerebral blood flow but increased the pressure gradient from the aorta to the pial artery, which is an index of large-artery resistance, in atherosclerotic monkeys. U46619 had no effect on blood flow to the eye in normal monkeys but decreased blood flow to the retina and choroid by 71 +/- 14% and 53 +/- 13%, respectively, in atherosclerotic monkeys. Thus, atherosclerosis potentiates the constrictor responses of large cerebral arteries to thromboxane and the responses of blood vessels of the eye to thromboxane and serotonin.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗
PubMed1988

The sequential use of estradiol and prostaglandin E2 topical gels for cervical ripening in high-risk term pregnancies requiring induction of labor.

We compared the safety and efficiency of 200 mg of estradiol valerate prepared as a topical cervical gel as a preripening agent when used 6 hours before the application of 2 mg of prostaglandin E2 gel for the purpose of cervical ripening in 40 high-risk obstetric patients before indicated oxytocin induction of labor. When compared with a placebo prostaglandin E2 dosage, the estradiol had no effect on the change of Bishop score, length of labor, amount of oxytocin required, or the cesarean delivery rate. While no uterine contractions were noted after the application of the estradiol, 85% of patients had recordable uterine activity after the application of prostaglandin E2, suggesting that even at the 2 mg dosage this sequential regimen is not appropriate for local cervical ripening.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1988

Blood flow through new microvessels: factors that affect regrowth of vasa vasorum.

A segment of abdominal aorta in dogs was transplanted to its original position (high PO2) or to the femoral vein (low PO2), and a segment of thoracic aorta was transplanted to its original position. Two days after grafting to each location, there was no blood flow (measured with microspheres) through vasa vasorum. After 2 and 4 wk, blood flow through vasa was restored to normal, or above normal, levels in all grafts. Vasa in grafts did not have smooth muscle, and they were not responsive to adenosine. Medial necrosis occurred in grafts of thoracic aorta but not in grafts of abdominal aorta. There was cellular degeneration and medial atrophy in grafts of abdominal aorta to the femoral vein. We conclude that 1) revascularization of the aorta by vasa vasorum is rapid; 2) new vasa do not have smooth muscle, and they are not responsive to vasoactive stimuli; and 3) medial necrosis occurs in grafts in which delivery of oxygen to media is compromised, either by low luminal PO2 or by interruption of medial vasa (in thoracic aorta), but not when the abdominal aorta is excised and reanastomosed. Absence of medial necrosis in grafts of abdominal aorta indicates that diffusion from the lumen of the vessel is adequate to nourish the vessel. This finding provides evidence that adventitial vasa, in contrast to medial vasa, are not essential for nourishment of the vessel wall.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1988

Effects of vasoactive stimuli on blood flow to choroid plexus.

The goal of this study was to examine effects of vasoactive stimuli on blood flow to choroid plexus. We used microspheres to measure blood flow to choroid plexus and cerebrum in anesthetized dogs and rabbits. A critical assumption of the microsphere method is that microspheres do not pass through arteriovenous shunts. Blood flow values obtained with simultaneous injection of 15- and 50-micron microspheres were similar, which suggests that shunting of 15-micron microspheres was minimal. Blood flow to choroid plexus under control conditions was 287 +/- 26 (means +/- SE) ml.min-1.100 g-1 in dogs and 385 +/- 73 ml.min-1.100 g-1 in rabbits. Consecutive measurements under control conditions indicated that values for blood flow are reproducible. Adenosine (5 microM.kg-1. min-1 iv) did not alter blood flow to cerebrum but increased blood flow to choroid plexus two- to threefold in dogs and rabbits. Norepinephrine (0.5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) and phenylephrine (25 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) did not affect blood flow to cerebrum but decreased blood flow to choroid plexus by approximately 50%. We suggest that 1) the microsphere method provides reproducible valid measurements of blood flow to the choroid plexus in dogs and rabbits and 2) vasoactive stimuli may have profoundly different effects on blood flow to choroid plexus and cerebrum.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1988

Vasa vasorum in atherosclerotic coronary arteries: responses to vasoactive stimuli and regression of atherosclerosis.

The goals of this study were to determine whether vasa vasorum in atherosclerotic coronary arteries respond to vasoactive stimuli and to examine effects of regression of atherosclerosis on blood flow through vasa vasorum in coronary arteries. We studied three groups of monkeys: normal, atherosclerotic, and regression. Blood flow to vasa vasorum was measured with microspheres. Blood flow to intima-media (ml/min x 100 g) was 5 +/- 1 (mean +/- SEM) in normal and 47 +/- 7 in atherosclerotic monkeys (p less than 0.05). Infusion of phenylephrine or serotonin did not alter flow through vasa in normal monkeys. In atherosclerotic monkeys, phenylephrine decreased flow through vasa vasorum in intima-media of coronary arteries to 24 +/- 4 (p less than 0.05), and serotonin decreased flow to 27 +/- 5 (p less than 0.05). In regression monkeys, blood flow to intima-media was sixfold less (7 +/- 2 ml/min x 100 g) than in atherosclerotic monkeys (p less than 0.05). During infusion of adenosine, blood flow to vasa was fourfold greater in atherosclerotic monkeys than after regression of atherosclerosis. This finding suggests that loss of vessels, not constriction of existing vessels, accounts for the decrease in flow through vasa in intima-media after regression of atherosclerosis. We conclude that vasa vasorum in atherosclerotic coronary arteries respond to vasoconstrictor stimuli and that there is loss of vasa vasorum and a large decrease in blood flow through vasa to intima-media of coronary arteries after regression of atherosclerosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Hairy cell leukemia in pregnancy: a case report.

Hairy cell leukemia (leukemic reticuloendotheliosis) is a rare disease. No previously reported cases in pregnancy could be found with the use of available computer-assisted medical literature search programs. The pregnancy was complicated by progressive thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and anemia that did not improve with delivery. The deterioration was eventually abated by postpartum splenectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Use of prostaglandin E2 topical cervical gel in high-risk patients: a critical analysis.

This investigation compared the safety and efficacy of 3- and 5-mg doses of prostaglandin E2 topical gel used for cervical ripening in 60 high-risk obstetric patients before oxytocin induction of labor. Both dosages significantly increased the Bishop score, unrelated to parity or gestational age. Induction time was significantly shortened, and the average maximum amount of oxytocin required was significantly less with the 5-mg dose, but not with the 3-mg dose, when compared with a placebo. Prostaglandin E2 did not influence the cesarean section rate. Uterine contractions were stimulated in 87.5% of the patients who received the drug, and 37.5% went into active labor, suggesting that prostaglandin E2 in these dosages is not an appropriate agent for local cervical ripening.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1983

Intervention in child abuse: experience in Liverpool.

The subsequent life events and development of 50 abused Liverpool children who had been removed from their parents and taken into the care of the Local Authority have been determined. Information was obtained by interviewing the district social worker responsible for each child's supervision. Medical progress and school performance was assessed in each case. Following their period in care, 26 children have had an unsatisfactory outcome indicated by the presence, either alone or in combination, of abnormal physical development, emotional disturbance, poor educational progress and occurrence of further abuse. Rehabilitation at home after varying periods of time was attempted for 25 children, five of whom suffered further abuse. The prognosis was worse the older the child on reception into care and the more placements while in care. The children who best survived their experiences after being taken into care were those for whom an early decision was made to sever parental contact and to place the child permanently with a substitute family.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Rapid identification of pregnant women heavily colonized with group B streptococci.

Pregnant women admitted to Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Fla., were cultured for group B streptococci (GBS). Culture swabs were placed into enriched, selective Todd-Hewitt medium and were quantitated for GBS. The broth cultures were tested by slide coagglutination before incubation and after 5 and 20 h of incubation. Fifty-four (27%) of the 201 maternity patients cultured were positive for GBS and were identified as such by slide coagglutination. A strong correlation was found between the magnitudes of colonization and the times required to identify the broth cultures as GBS positive. Cultures from mothers heavily colonized (mean concentrations of 3 X 10(4) GBS per culture swab or greater) were identified after 5 h or less of incubation. Mothers lightly colonized with GBS (mean concentrations of 2 X 10(2) GBS per culture swab) were identified only after their broth cultures had been incubated for 20 h.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1981

Liposome concentration in canine ischemic myocardium and depolarized myocardial cells.

To determine whether liposomes (microscopic phospholipid vesicles) may be useful in delivering drugs to a region of myocardial ischemia, we studied the concentration of positively charged and neutral liposomes containing 131I-albumin and horseradish peroxidase in ischemic myocardium of 20 dogs during the first 4 hours of experimental myocardial infarction. We studied the interaction of liposomes containing fluorescent dyes and horseradish peroxidase with isolated contracting cardiac myocytes. We found that positively charged and neutral liposomes accumulated in poorly perfused myocardium and that positively charged liposomes accumulated in the ischemic region to a greater extent than neutral liposomes [138 +/- 21 vs. 81 +/- 9% (mean +/- SE) of the concentration of liposomes in uninvolved myocardium]. Electron microscopic examination of this myocardium showed liposome contents to be located in the vascular space, in endothelial cells, and in ischemic myocytes. We found high potassium environment and that liposomal contents were scattered throughout the interior of the cells in the electron micrographs of some of the isolated myocytes. Anoxia alone for 20-30 minutes did not modify the liposome-isolated myocyte interaction or cause depolarization of the cells. We conclude that liposomes may be useful as drug carriers to depolarized ischemic myocardium, although significant uptake by normal myocardial cells cannot be expected with lecithin, cholesterol, and octadecylamine liposomes we used.

Animals↗