Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J Raymond.
Two new cases of infection, a presternal abscess and a spondylodiscitis caused by the recently classified bacterium Kingella kingae, are reported. The main bacteriological characteristics and the susceptibility of the two isolates to antimicrobial agents are described. The pathology of K. kingae, particularly among children, is reviewed.
The antibacterial activity of arginine butyrate was tested on 15 different strains. Its bacteriostatic action was detected, depending on the organisms, at concentrations between 55 and 250 mM, except for the Streptococcus B. The latter was not only resistant, but its growth was even stimulated at low concentrations (1.95 mM to 31.2 mM). It is possible that this characteristic is related to its persistence in the female genital tract where the anaerobes produce butyrate. It has previously been demonstrated that this cytostatic activity applies not only to the prokaryotes, but also to the eukaryotes, where it is seen in much lower concentrations (6 mM): since the arginine butyrate could be used in antitumor treatment, it is important to investigate its bacterial growth effects.
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The ability of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis was evaluated in 100 sera using three different antigen preparations as substrates (sonicated organisms, Triton X solubilized antigen and SDS solubilized antigen). The results were compared to those obtained by a standard microimmunofluorescence assay. The results obtained by the three ELISA techniques and the microimmunofluorescence method were in relatively good agreement (76%); some discrepant results were observed in sera with a low antibody titer. There was good agreement of results obtained by the three ELISA techniques (84%). The microimmunofluorescence method showed the greatest sensitivity. Assuming the microimmunofluorescence method accurately demonstrates antibodies, the ELISA using Triton X solubilized antigen showed the highest degree of specificity (97%), and the ELISA with sonicated organisms the greatest sensitivity (82%) and accuracy (86%).
In the vestibular organ the presence of carbohydrates in the cupula and otoconia of young (6-day-old) and adult rats was investigated using fluorescent lectins. The following sugars have been identified in both young and adult rats: N-acetyl-glucosamine, galactose, mannose and fucose. In contrast, N-acetyl-galactosamine was not detected. In order to demonstrate the specificity of the reaction, control experiments were performed after preincubation of the lectin with its specific inhibitory sugar. The same sugars were identified in calcified (i.e. otoconia) and non-calcified (i.e. cupula) structures. The role of these sugars in the mineralization and fusion process of otoconia is discussed.
The subunit heterogeneity of the globulin fraction of sunflower seeds was investigated by two dimensional electrophoresis, using isoelectric focusing in the first dimension and sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the second dimension. Under non reducing conditions, intermediary subunits B, C and D (molecular weight 54 000, 48 000 and 40 000, respectively) were focused within a pI range 5.4-6.0 but intermediary subunits A (molecular weight 60 000) focused within a pI range 6.3-6.8. Under reducing conditions the electrophoretic patterns show that intermediary subunits consist in large "acidic" and small "basic" subunits linked by disulphide bonds. The large subunits of B species are more acidic and less heterogeneous than the corresponding subunits of the A species. These results confirm that helianthinin had a "legumin-type" structure.
The use of indirect calorimetry in assessing and monitoring nutritional support in burn patients is reported. Twenty-nine patients with a mean burn size of 35% TBSA were monitored with 228 measurements of resting energy expenditure (REE), calculations of respiratory quotient (RQ), and substrate metabolism. Daily weights, nitrogen balance determinations, and routine laboratory tests were also obtained. Oxygen consumption (VO2) was 186 +/- 39 ml/min/M2, corresponding to REE of 2,506 +/- 543 kcal/day. REE varied during the course of wound healing, demonstrating a biphasic course. Metabolic rate was also significantly increased with the performance of routine procedures such as dressings and surgery. Measurements of REE were a mean 76% of predictions based on the Curreri formula, and 1.47 times basal energy expenditure (BEE) calculated by the Harris-Benedict equation. Neither formula provided for the great variations observed in daily, and individual, measurements of REE. During the study, patients consumed 2,900 +/- 811 kcal/day, which exceeded REE by 1.14. This was associated with mean weight loss of 3.2% (range, -16 to 9%). RQ was less than 0.85 in 9% of determinations, but exceeded 1.0 24% of the time. Protein accounted for 17 +/- 3% of total metabolism, corresponding to a calorie:nitrogen ratio of 128:1. Practically, however, provision of this much protein proved difficult. Routine use of indirect calorimetry permits tailoring of nutritional support for burn patients, and is valuable in the early detection of significant under- or overnutrition.
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We describe the radiographic, gross morphologic and microscopic appearance of a pleural collagenous nodule presenting as a "solitary nodule." We believe that this lesion is within the spectrum of "pleural plaques," an associated condition present in our patient who had a history of potential asbestos exposure. Awareness of this probably rare variant of a common abnormality may obviate the need for a diagnostic thoracotomy in certain circumstances.
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D-[2,3-3H]Aspartate [( 3H]D-Asp) was injected in the cat vestibular nuclei. Labeling patterns resulting from retrograde axonal transport by the vestibular nerve fibers were observed in the vestibular ganglion neurons and also in the nerve fibers. The selectivity of such labeling, related to the neurotransmitter's specificity, is strongly indicated.
Evidence that glutamate acts as a neurotransmitter in vestibular nerve fibers was sought (1) by electron microscope radioautographic identification of the uptake sites of [3H]-glutamic acid after incubation of slices of cat vestibular nuclei, and (2) by measuring changes in sodium-dependent high affinity glutamate uptake in nerve endings containing homogenates from normal and deafferented vestibular nuclei 8 to 11 days after unilateral vestibular nerve lesion. Electron microscopic radioautography revealed that glutamate had been taken up by numerous nerve endings projecting over the whole vestibular nuclear complex. The biochemical approach indicated that after section of the vestibular nerve, a significant decrease in high affinity glutamate uptake occurred in the vestibular nuclei, which lost their exclusively ipsilateral projection. This decrease varied from one area of the deafferented vestibular nuclei to another, reaching -58% in the lateral area of the central part corresponding to the ventral lateral vestibular nucleus and the rostral part of the descending vestibular nucleus. It is concluded that glutamate (or aspartate) is used by the vestibular nerve fibers as a neurotransmitter in the vestibular nuclei.
Neurons of the efferent vestibular system were investigated in the cat using retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase and fluorescent retrograde double labelling techniques. The number of efferent neurons was clearly higher than previously reported. A three dimensional reconstruction of the location of these neurons showed that they constitute a single group and did not give evidence of an eventual specialization based on neuron subpopulations. However, a study of cross-sectional areas of the horseradish peroxidase-labelled efferent neurons detected that the ipsilateral population contained a larger number of small neurons than the contralateral one. Double labelling by means of either 4',6-diamidino-2- phenylindol 2HCl in combination with horseradish peroxidase or Fast Blue in combination with Nuclear Yellow showed that 20% of efferent neurons project to both labyrinths. Such a high percentage raises the question of the role of these double-projecting cells and the specificity of their branching on vestibular receptors. This study expands previous work in the cat demonstrating that a much greater number of efferent neurons exists than had hitherto been assumed, among them 20% have both crossed and uncrossed projections.
Presented are the results of a comparison study of three forms of circulatory support during ventricular fibrillation: closed-chest compression (CCC), open-chest manual compression (OCMC), and direct mechanical ventricular assistance (DMVA). DMVA is a method of circulatory support using a bell-shaped device that is affixed to the heart by apical suction and that alternately compresses and expands the ventricles. CCC produced a cardiac index (CI) of 780 mL/min/m2 (19% of control) with a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 26 mm Hg (23% of control). Both forms of direct cardiac compression produced higher values. OCMC at 60 compressions per minute (CPM) produced a CI of 2,069 mL/min/m2 (52% of control) with an MAP of 50 mm Hg (45% of control). DMVA at the same rate produced a CI of 2,780 mL/min/m2 (70% of control) with an MAP of 72 mm Hg (65% of control). The values for DMVA at 60 CPM were significantly higher than for OCMC at 60 CPM (P less than .005 for CI, and P less than .0005 for MAP). Changing from standard CCC to DMVA at 90 CPM produced the greatest hemodynamic improvements: MAP increased by 250%, and CI increased by 340%. With DMVA at 90 CPM, the systolic pressure, stroke index, and CI were not statistically different from control, prearrest values.
The specificity of the intraarticular facet block as a diagnostic test for facet joint disease is currently unknown. Capsular rupture with epidural and periarticular diffusion is probably responsible for many false positive findings. We found a comparatively low success rate of the procedure in 25 patients in whom maximal volumes were strictly controlled to avoid extravasation.
Our experience, in a group of 25 patients with chronic low back pain, shows that nuclear imaging of the spine with 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate is of no benefit in predicting the sites at which intraarticular facet blocks may be successful.
Unitary recordings of spontaneous activity were performed from vestibular ganglion perikaria and axons of Mouse inner ear explants. The latter were from 1-11 day postnatal mice and were maintained in vitro at 37 degrees C, in a defined bathing medium. Spontaneous action potentials were obtained at each developmental stage and presented the distinctive features of the in vivo recorded activities during normal development. On the 3rd day post partum the recorded activities were of the immature type, with slow irregular discharge frequencies. In ganglia 3 to 9 days post partum the spike frequencies increased and the discharges exhibited 3 distinct firing patterns. This electrophysiological maturation of vestibular receptors is discussed in comparison with the morphological maturation of the vestibular organ during the same postnatal period.