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Biomedical subjects

J Rankin

Publications and source records attributed to J Rankin.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Uptake and metabolism of prostaglandin E1 in isolated perfused fetal, newborn and adult rabbit lungs.

PGE1 has been used to maintain the patency of the ductus arteriosus in newborns with pulmonary hypertension. However, it is known that adult lungs avidly take up and metabolize circulating PGE1. We compared the ability of isolated perfused lungs from previable, 26-day gestation, fetal rabbits; newborn rabbits (within 12 hours of birth) and 3 month old adult rabbits to metabolize a 20-second bolus of PGE1. The concentration of PGE1 infused was approximately 2 orders of magnitude below the Km for the PGE1 uptake process so that first order uptake kinetics are assured. The retention time of a vascular marker dye was monitored as an index of pulmonary vascular surface area. In all three sizes of lungs perfusate flow was adjusted to produce an approximately 7 second dye retention time. At these flows the adult lungs inactivate about 45 percent of the infused PGE1. In contrast, fetal and newborn rabbit lungs both inactivate about 22 percent of the infused PGE1. We conclude that the ability of the lung to take up and metabolize circulating PGE1 is markedly reduced in premature and term newborns.

Aging↗
PubMed1982

Kinetic analysis of respiratory tract proteins recovered during a sequential lavage protocol.

Although bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) has been used as a research tool for over a decade, the technique of lavage has varied markedly between laboratories. For example, lavage instillate volumes from 50 to 300 ml have been used, and yet the influence of the variable of total lavage volume on subsequent protein recovery is uncertain. We performed sequential BAL (50 ml/aliquot; total volume, 300 ml) of the right middle lobe of 14 normal volunteers and separately processed and analyzed recovered aliquots for the absolute and relative concentrations of several protein substances. These proteins include free secretory component and secretory IgA, which emanate from airway secretions, and IgG, which is thought to transude from more distal alveolar sites. Analysis of these data showed a marked decrease in the absolute concentration of all proteins measured in serial aliquots. Analysis of protein ratios in sequential aliquots, however, revealed no significant change from the first to the fifth recovered aliquot. Finally, we analyzed the influence of the size of the first recovered aliquot on absolute and relative concentrations of proteins. Here there seemed to be a trend indicating preferential recovery of airway proteins in smaller aliquots. This was significant for the ratio of free secretory component to albumin (p less than 0.05). We conclude that lung proteins are efficiently and homogeneously sampled with 100 ml of lavage instillate. Larger volumes will add more protein but not alter protein ratios. Lavage with smaller volumes may preferentially sample airway proteins.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Pulmonary reaction to durum wheat; a constituent of grain dust.

To identify constituents of grain dust responsible for grain handlers' respiratory symptoms, 11 volunteer grain elevator workers underwent inhalation provocation tests with extracts of durum wheat, durum wheat airborne dust, and grain insects and mites. Factors that might influence the host response to the challenge were assessed. Five of the 11 subjects showed a greater than 20 percent decrement in FEV1 after inhalation of durum wheat extracts (airways reaction). The bronchial reactions were immediate in 1/5 and late in 4/5. These airway reactions were blocked by sodium cromoglycate. Only one subject showed airway reaction to durum wheat dust extract, and none reacted to mites or insect extracts. There was no change in DLCO, temperature, or in total C3 complement blood levels, nor was there evidence of activation of complement by the alternate or classic pathway. The airway response was not always related to the atopic status of the individual. The reaction is more likely to occur in subjects with preexisting airway obstruction and nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity. Durum wheat has been identified as an inducer of occupational asthma in grain handlers. This reaction is probably due to specific or nonspecific mediator release. There was no apparent parenchymal or systemic reaction or complement activation detectable in the subjects' sera after inhalation of durum wheat extracts.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Limitations to exercise capacity and endurance: pulmonary system.

The response of the pulmonary system to exercise is well-documented to be quite precise in its homeostatic regulation, highly efficient in terms of its physiologic cost, and operating well within its maximum reserves. Two exceptions to these generalizations are documented here in the highly-trained athlete: 1) the arterial hypoxemia observed in short-term work at a VO2 greater than 4-5 l . min-1, and 2) the tachypneic hyperventilation of long-term, heavy exercise in varying environmental conditions. The potential causes and consequences of these responses are discussed with reference to so-called exercise "limitations". The trained state as a cause of pulmonary limitations is emphasized.

Carbon Dioxide↗
PubMed1980

HLA antigen frequencies and natural history in Alternaria-sensitive and perennial nonallergic asthmatics.

The frequency of HLA-A, -B, and -C loci antigens in random populations of Alternaria-sensitive (N = 100) and perennial nonallergic asthmatics (N = 87) were compared with age- (+/- 5 yr) and sex-matched controls from the same geographic region. There was no association between HLA antigens as measured by frequency analyses and Alternaria-sensitive or perennial nonallergic asthma. Moreover there was no association between HLA antigens and the age of onset of asthma, associated allergic disorders, various environmental factors provoking asthma, total serum IgE levels, and Alternaria-specific IgE antibody.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Serologically detectable HLA-A, B, and C loci antigens in farmer's lung disease.

The frequency of serologically detectable (SD) HLA-A, B, and C loci antigens in subjects with farmer's lung disease (N = 100) was compared with that of age- and sex-matched normal normal farmers with no precipitating antibodies to extracts of thermophilic actinomycetes. A subset of the farming population with antibodies to the thermophilic actinomycetes and no evidence of clinical disease (N = 55) was also agae- and sex-matched to the farmer's lung disease population. No significant associations between any of the SD HLA antigens tested and farmer's lung disease were found in the study. The data demonstrated that there was no association between SD HLA antigens and farmer's lung disease in random populations.

Actinomycetales↗
PubMed1979

Primary hyperparathyroidism in a New Zealand community: a review of 40 cases.

Forty cases of primary hyperparathyroidism presenting over a 15 year period, have been reviewed. The disease was equally prevalent in both sexes with highest incidence in the sixth decade. Most patients presented with renal colic or calculi (73 percent) and skeletal disease was found in only 13 percent. A single parathyroid adenoma was found in 32 cases and hyperplasia was diagnosed in only two cases. Follow-up questionnaires were sent to 32 patients, and in 27 of these a full clinical and laboratory assessment was undertaken. Of 26 patients with renal colic preoperatively only six continued to experience colic one year after parathyroid surgery. Thirty percent of all patients were hypertensive preoperatively, and in only two patients did blood pressure normalise after surgery. Fourteen of 27 patients followed-up were found to be hypertensive. A highly significant fall was noted in serum calcium, chloride, alkaline phosphatase and urine calcium excretion postoperatively. Recurrence of the disease was low and less than 8 percent in this series. The low incidence (1 per 10 000 population per year) suggests that primary hyperparathyroidism is under diagnosed in the Christchurch community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Acute and chronic pulmonary function changes in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Pulmonary functions of patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis were studied during an acute episode (n = 6); during a mean follow-up period of 44 months (range four months--14.8 years) (n = 16); and for any correlation between duration of ABPA and asthma with the total lung capacity (helium dilution), 1 second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), vital capacity, 1 second forced expiratory volume-forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1:FVC per cent) and diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DL:CO) (single breath) for the entire group (n = 22). All patients were treated with corticosteroids (intermittent or continuous) and bronchodilators. For the 16 patients, slopes using linear regression analysis were determined from the function as per cent predicted versus time in months from diagnosis and then analyzed for significance. Significant functional loss was shown in three of 16 patients for FEV1, two of 16 patients for vital capacity, one of 16 patients for FEV1:FVC per cent, none of 10 patients for DL:CO and one of 10 patients for total lung cital capacity, FEV1:FVC per cent and the duration of asthma or allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis was found by multiple regression analysis correcting for age and smoking (mean 4.24 years; range 0.3 to 14.8 years). Roentgenographic criteria and blood eosinophilia were used to define a "flare" of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. The six patients during a flare showed a significant reduction in total lung capacity (P less than 0.001), vital capacity (P less than 0.05), FEV1 (P less than 0.01) and DL:CO (P less than 0.001) which uniformly returned to baseline values during steroid therapy. The FEV1:FVC per cent remained unaltered. These findings, contrary to suggestions in the literature, indicate that in the majority of our patients there was no significant progressive functional deterioration after diagnosis. However, during acute episodes of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, transient reduction of volumes and DL:CO were uniformly present.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Farmer's lung disease: long-term clinical and physiologic outcome.

To determine the long-term effects of farmer's lung disease and the factors influening the outcome, 141 patients with farmer's lung disease were evaluated. At the time of the last follow-up, 29 patients had died and 92 (mean age, 54 years) were studied clinically, physiologically, and radiologically. The mean length of disease was 14.8 years (range, 2.25 to 40 years). Symptoms at the time of the last follow-up included complaints of cough (33 per cent of the patients), breathlessness while walking on the level (20 per cent), breathlessness on minor exertion (14 per cent), and breathlessness while at rest (3 per cent). Twenty-eight per cent had chronic bronchitis. Thirty-nine per cent (36 of 92 patients) had some evidence of interstitial changes on roentgenogram. Abnormal vital capacity was present in 11 patients (12 per cent), abnormal total lung capacity in 11 (12 per cent), and abnormal CO difussing capacity in 27 (30 per cent). The ratio of one-sec forced expiratory volume to forced vital capacity was abnormal in 23 patients (25 per cent), and arterial PO2 was abnormal in 39 (40 per cent). Patients with a history of 5 or more symptomatic recurrences had significantly smaller values (P less than 0.05) for vital capacity, total lung capacity, and CO diffusing capacity than did those patients with less than 5 recurrences. There was no significant relation between continued farming or length of disease and lung function. On the basis of several measurements of airway function, 34 of the patients (58 per cent) were found to have some abnormality, It is concluded that symptomatic recurrences may be the most important factor in determining the danger of progressive disease. Persistently positive precipitins were correlated with decreased CO diffusing capacity. Moreover, airway disease is relatively uncommon but does occur, and in some cases it is a possible consequence of farmer's lung disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Respiratory abnormalities among grain handlers: a clinical, physiologic, and immunologic study.

A survey of 300 grain elevator workers revealed that 77 per cent complained of eye symptoms; 64 per cent, of nasal symptoms; and 88 per cent, of one or more respiratory symptoms on exposure to airborne grain dust. Symptoms on exposure were independent of age and length of employment. Cough and wheezing on exposure were more common among smokers than nonsmokers (P less than 0.025). Nineteen per cent of the workers had had episodes of grain fever. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was 37 per cent (42 per cent of smokers and 30 per cent of nonsmokers). Wheezes on auscultation were found in 23 per cent. Measurements of lung ventilatory function, as well as diffusing capacity, correlated significantly with age and smoking habits, but not with length of employment. Thirty-seven per cent of the workers had an abnormal mean forced expiratory flow during the middle half of the forced vital capacity (47 per cent of smokers and 13 per cent of nonsmokers), and 34 per cent had an abnormal maximal expiratory flow after exhalation of 50 per cent of the forced vital capacity (40 per cent of smokers and 13 per cent of nonsmokers), whereas only 13 per cent had an abnormal ratio of 1-sec forced expiratory volume to forced vital capacity. There was no correlation between precipitins to fungi, bacteria, grain, or grain dust antigens and acute or chronic respiratory symptoms, lung function, or grain fever. There was, however, a significant correlation between cutaneous reactivity to grain dust and wheezing on exposure (P less than 0.02). Abnormal flows at low lung volumes were more common among cutaneous reactors to common allergens. We concluded that exposure to airborne grain dust can cause acute inflammatory reaction to the exposed mucosa, and it is highly probable that grain dust contributes and, in some cases, causes chronic airway disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

The value of precipitating antibodies in screening for hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

To evaluate the usefulness of precipitin tests as a screening method to detect hypersensitivity pneumonitis, we compared persons with precipitins to organic antigens with precipitin-negative subjects from the same population of 1,072 office workers participating in a health survey examination. Thirty-three of the 53 persons with preciptins to Micropolyspora faeni, Thermoactinomyces vulgaris, T. candidus, pigeon serum, aspergillus, alternaria, pullularia, penicillium, cephalosporium, trichoderma, and phoma were matched according to age, sex, height, and smoking habits with precipitin-negative subjects. The subjects completed a self-administered standard questionnaire, they were interviewed and examined, chest radiograms were taken, and pulmonary functions were evaluated at rest and during mild and moderate exercise. No significant differences were found between the 2 populations in any of the pulmonary function measurements. In addition, clinical and radiologic evidence failed to distinguish between the 2 groups. No cases of hypersensitivity pneumonitis were found. In this population, precipitins had no apparent relationship to long disease. The frequency of precipitins was considerably higher than the frequency of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. We concluded that the detection of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in population surveys attempting to establish prevalence of the disease cannot be accomplished by the simple analysis of serum precipitating antibodies but requires, in addition, a more complex analysis of historical, radiologic, and immunologic data.

Antigens↗
PubMed1976

Lymphocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of patients with farmer's lung.

The numbers of mononuclear cells having receptors for sheep red blood cells (T lymphocytes) or complement (B lymphocytes) in the peripheral blood of farmer's lung patients were determined. In patients recovering from a clinical episode of farmer's lung or exposed to moldy hay or fodder, both the percentage of T lymphocytes and the T lymphocytes per mm3 were reduced, whereas the number of B lymphocytes remained within normal limits. Farmer's lung patients having no exposure to moldy hay or fodder had T and B lymphocyte numbers similar to a normal population.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Respiratory tract disease from thermosetting resins. Study of an outbreak in rubber tire workers.

An outbreak of upper and lower respiratory tract inflammatory disease and conjunctivitis among synthetic rubber tire workers occurred. The outbreak began after the introduction of a new thermosetting resin, containing resorcinol and a trimere of methylene aminoacetronitrile, into the rubber tire carcass stock formulation. Two hundred ten workers were affected. Characteristically, symptoms improved during periods of sick leave or vacation, recurring upon the workers' return to the plant. Chest radiograms disclosed pneumonic infiltrates in about one fourth of the cases. Pulmonary function studies detected abnormal airways dynamics as well as abnormal diffusing capacity in more than one third of the workers tested. Lung biopsy showed evidence of focal interstitial fibrosis and peribronchiolar and perivascular chronic inflammatory reaction. The illness was ascribed to volatile products released during the manufacture of synthetic rubber tires. The exact chemical nature of these products is unknown.

Adult↗