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Biomedical subjects

J Savory

Publications and source records attributed to J Savory.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Clinical laboratory evaluation of Ames' Seralyzer Reflectance Photometer for total bilirubin and cholesterol.

We evaluated the dry-reagent technology for determining cholesterol and adult total bilirubin in serum with the Ames Seralyzer Reflectance Photometer. This instrument is designed to measure the intensity of light of a selected wavelength that is reflected from reagent-impregnated test strips saturated with sample. Regression analysis of the data for total bilirubin in adults (y) compared with corresponding values obtained with the Technicon SMAC (x) yielded the regression line: y = 1.07x + 2.5 (n = 128, r = 0.99). Day-to-day precision (CV) was 3.8% at 8.1 mg of bilirubin per liter, 5.34% at 48.3 mg/L. Regression analysis of the cholesterol data (y) vs cholesterol values obtained with an enzymatic cholesterol method (x) yielded the regression line: y = 0.91x + 191 mg/L (n = 100, r = 0.98). Day-to-day CVs for cholesterol were 3.6% at 1.62 g/L, 3.11% at 2.62 g/L.

Autoanalysis↗

Improved determination of aluminum in serum by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

This method for determining aluminum in human serum involves electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A longer drying time allows less pre-dilution of the sample, and the method also includes a flush cycle after atomization. Standard-addition methodology is used to eliminate matrix effects and the need for a standard curve. We used this method on serum from 50 normal persons and from 34 patients with chronic renal failure who were on long-term intermittent hemodialysis. The mean normal serum aluminum concentration was 6.1 micrograms/L (CV 2.7%), and values for the patients ranged from 13 to 475 micrograms/L.

Aluminum↗

Effect of ultrasound-induced hyperthermia and cis-diamminedichloride platinum II on murine renal function.

Murine renal function was evaluated after ultrasound-induced kidney hyperthermia (42.5 degrees C and 46.5 degrees C for 35 minutes) and the administration of cis-diamminedichloride platinum II (8 mg/kg). A quantitative immunonephelometric technique was employed to determine urinary total protein (TP) and albumin (Alb) 1-180 days post-treatment. Hyperthermia of 46.5 degrees C elevated urinary TP excretion significantly more than that of 42.5 degrees C cis-diamminedichloride platinum (Cis DDP) administration greatly increase urine TP with a peak mean TP concentration of 488 microgram/ml, four days after Cis DDP (normal range was 26-48 microgram/ml). This returned to normal by day 14. The TP excretion after 42.5 degrees C hyperthermia with concurrent Cis DDP was similar to Cis DDP alone, implying there was no potentiation of early or late Cis-DDP-induced renal damage by hyperthermia. Late mouse mortality was greater (P = 0.08) after Cis DDP alone, than Cis DDP with 42.5 degrees C hyperthermia. There was a statistically significant increase (P less than 0.05) in the Alb/TP excretion ratio after the addition of 42.5 degrees C hyperthermia to Cis DDP, implying an alteration in the site or nature of the Cis DDP renal lesion by hyperthermia.

Albuminuria↗

The response of kidney to ionizing radiation combined with hyperthermia induced by ultrasound.

Mouse kidneys were made hyperthermic (42.5 degrees C for 30 min) one hour before, during, or one hour after local irradiation to determine the effect of hyperthermia on radiation damage. An ultrasound beam was used to induce hyperthermia. The urinary concentrations of total protein and albumin were used as criteria of kidney injury. Hyperthermia alone did not induce proteinuria. Radiation alone produced proteinuria that was not correlated with dose. Hyperthermia induced during or after irradiation resulted in a thermal enhancement factor of 1.29 +/- .33. Hyperthermia induced one hour before irradiation resulted in a thermal enhancement factor of 0.88 +/- .05, indicating a radioprotective effect. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first time such an effect has been shown.

Albuminuria↗

Amylase in fallopian tube and serous ovarian neoplasms: immunohistochemical localization.

We studied the cellular localization of amylase in normal Fallopian tubes and serous ovarian neoplasms using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. The primary antiserum was against human pancreatic amylase, and was found to inhibit ovarian tumor amylase as well. Amylase was present in normal endosalpingeal epithelium and in the epithelial cells of benign, borderline, and malignant serous ovarian tumors. A mucinous cystadenoma was also studied and contained no amylase. This localization suggests that amylase production by serous ovarian neoplasms reflects the endosalpingeal differentiation of these tumors. Antibody to amylase may be potentially useful in distinguishing serous ovarian tumors from other forms of ovarian neoplasia.

Amylases↗

Clinical studies of protein-bound calcium in various diseases.

A recently developed gel-filtration technique allows protein-bound calcium fractions to be separated and quantitated; the protein is separated under physiological conditions of pH, temperature, and concentrations of Na, Mg, and Ca to assure that the calcium-proteinate equilibrium is not disturbed. We used this gel-filtration technique to study the protein-bound calcium fractions in 18 patients with hyperparathyroidism, multiple myeloma, diabetes, osteoporosis, or liver cirrhosis. We calculated the amount of calcium bound per gram of protein for each of the three protein peaks and the intrinsic association constant (Ka) for calcium/albumin. Results with the multiple myeloma patients (three IgG, one IgA) indicated that IgG did not bind calcium appreciably, that IgA had about the same affinity as albumin for Ca, and that Ka was slightly low for one patient of the IgG type (79 L/mol) and normal for the other three myeloma patients (106, 90, and 91 L/mol). Results for patients with the other diseases were also essentially normal, except for the osteoporesis patients (two men, one woman), whose Ka values (69, 75, and 73 L/mol) were lower than normal.

Adult↗

Cerebrospinal fluid prognostic indices in experimental pneumococcal meningitis.

The prognostic value of initial and sequential determinations of quantitative bacterial concentrations, leukocytes, glucose, lactate, lactic acid dehydrogenase, and creatine phosphokinase in CSF was examined in rabbits with experimental pneumococcal meningitis while they were receiving equivalent, rapidly bactericidal antibiotic therapy. The following mean CSF variables correlated with death due to meningitis: (1) an early (day 1) high bacterial titer and lactate concentration with simultaneous low leukocyte count and glucose level and (2) late (day 3) elevated lactate and lactic acid dehydrogenase levels and leukocyte count. A high concentration of bacteria inoculated into the CSF and a high plasma glucose level also adversely influenced prognosis. Careful analysis of these variables may identify high-risk patients with pneumococcal meningitis and ultimately may be useful in gauging the therapeutic response.

Animals↗

Erythrocyte polyamine determinations in patients with head and neck cancer.

Erythrocyte polyamine levels were measured in the blood from 29 untreated patients whose conditions were diagnosed as head and neck cancer. Only nine (31%) of these patients had elevations of erythrocyte spermidine and/or spermine levels above the reference ranges determined for normal persons. However, a positive correlation was observed between the erythrocyte spermidine levels and the clinical tumor stage. Serial erythrocyte polyamine determinations were performed on the blood from 12 of these patients before and after either surgical or radiation therapy. In 11 of the cases, the erythrocyte spermidine levels decreased after tumor therapy regardless of whether there was prior elevation above the reference range. The erythrocyte spermine levels in these patients were more variable in their response to tumor treatment. Therefore, although erythrocyte polyamine levels were only slightly to moderately elevated in response to the small tumors characteristic of the head and neck, the measurement of erythrocyte spermidine, potentially, may offer a simple and effective means of monitoring the course of therapy used in patients with head and neck cancer.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Leukocyte and bacterial interrelationships in experimental meningitis.

Eighty-one rabbits were inoculated with known concentrations of type III pneumococci by cisternal puncture and then started on antibiotic therapy the following day. Aliquots of cerebrospinal fluid were sampled at regular intervals both before and after therapy and then analyzed for bacterial titer and leukocyte count. These data were used to examine the interrelationships of inoculum size, leukocyte count, and bacterial titer to each other and their effects both univariately and multivariately on outcome. Inoculum size was the most important single variable affecting outcome, followed in order by the pretherapeutic bacterial titer and leukocyte count. Higher leukocyte counts early in the course of the disease prior to therapy were associated with a favorable outcome. Continued leukocyte elevation after therapy was associated with a poor prognosis. No correlations were found between inoculum size and subsequent bacterial titers; however, the bacterial titer immediately prior to therapy correlated negatively with the level of the early white cell response. The best prognostic information was obtained from the multivariate analysis of inoculum size and pretherapeutic white cell response.

Animals↗

A multivariate approach to prognostication in experimental bacterial meningitis.

Known concentrations of type III pneumococci were inoculated into eighty-one rabbits by cisternal puncture. Antibiotic therapy was started the following day. Aliquots of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma were sampled on day one immediately before therapy was started and at regular intervals thereafter for up to eight days. Samples were analyzed for glucose, lactate, lactic dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase in various combinations. Leukocyte counts were performed on all CSF specimens. The timing of the specimens proved critical to the prognostic utility of the analyses performed. Day two plasma glucose was the most important single measurement for prognostication. Day one values for CSF glucose, lactate, and leukocyte count were also important. Substantial gains in prognostic accuracy were achieved when clinical laboratory measurements were used in combination by discriminant function analysis.

Animals↗

The clinical biochemistry of aluminum.

The methods for aluminum analysis vary from the simple and often nonspecific chemical and physical procedures to the highly sophisticated types such as neutron activation and atomic absorption spectrometry. Atomic absorption procedures are the techniques of choice for most routine hospital laboratories. The wide distribution of aluminum in nature can create severe contamination problems in aluminum analysis. Procedures to avoid contamination are discussed. In recent years aluminum has been implicated as a possible etiological agent in DES and in Alzheimer's Disease. A common finding in these two conditions is an elevated brain aluminum content. The patients with Alzheimer's Disease develop characteristic neurofibrillary tangles which lead to the degeneration of the affected neurons. Similar tangles can be induced in laboratory animals injected intracerebrally with aluminum salts. Even though the laboratory animals develop tangles resembling those seen in patients with Alzheimer's Disease, no evidence has been published to show that the tangles seen in Alzheimer's Disease are induced by the elevated brain aluminum content. Although there are some similar clinical symptoms in both Alzheimer's Disease and DES, the hemodialysis patients with DES do not develop neurofibrillary tangles despite an elevated brain aluminum content. The significance of this difference is not understood. The sources of the increase in tissue aluminum levels found in hemodialysis patients are from the gastrointestinal absorption of aluminum in aluminum containing phosphate-binding gels and by transfer from the dialyzate to the blood during the hemodialysis procedure. Plasma aluminum values may be reduced by the administration of a minimum dosage of phosphate-binding gels and by the use of purified water to make up the dialysate. The incidence of DES is reduced by the use of these procedures to maintain the hemodialysis patients' plasma aluminum at a low concentration. The increased brain aluminum content of patients with Alzheimer's Disease is derived from the environment. Because of the ubiquitous occurrence of aluminum, we are exposed to it daily in our food, water, and in the air. The low levels of aluminum absorbed from the environment may explain why susceptible patients do not develop Alzheimer's Disease until after many years of exposure, if indeed aluminum is the etiological agent in Alzheimer's Disease. The many papers that have been published concerning aluminum, DES, and Alzheimer's Disease make a strong case for linking elevated tissue aluminum content with these conditions. However, conclusive evidence to support this theory has not been published. Until the effect of aluminum on cellular chemistry is more fully understood, the possibility that DES and Alzheimer's Disease may result from other causes or from aluminum and another agent acting concomitantly must be considered.

Aluminum↗

Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 1 with the centrifugal analyzer after immunochemical removal of other isoenzymes.

We describe a centrifugal analyzer method for measuring the LD-1 isoenzyme of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) in serum, after immunochemical precipitation of the other four isoenzymes. Enzymic activity was measured kinetically at 30 degrees C with the pyruvate-to-lactate assay. The method for LD-1 was linear to 1000 U/L. The precision (CV) of the assay was 1.0--2.2% within-run and 3.1--4.5% day-to-day. The reference interval was 26--73 U/L (n = 51), corresponding to 21--35% of total LD activity.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

Use of a flow-injection sample manipulator as an interface between a "high-performance" liquid chromatograph and an atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

We describe an integrated, molecular-absorbance, atomic absorption instrument for studying metal/ligand binding in clinical samples. For an interface between the "high-performance" liquid chromatograph and the atomic absorption instrument we used a flow-injection sample manipulator, thus allowing both the chromatograph and the atomic absorption detector to operate at their separate optimum conditions. After specimen separation with a gel permeation column, we measured the molecular components of the column eluate by molecular absorbance spectrometry and the atomic components (calcium and magnesium) by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. This instrument system is capable of separating and analyzing multiple components within 20 min of injection of the sample on the column. The chromatograms presented demonstrate the utility of the system for investigating metal binding to a variety of ligands in clinical samples.

Calcium↗

Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme-1: changes during the first day after acute myocardial infarction.

We studied the time course of change of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme-1 (LD-1) in serum of patients suspected of having had an acute myocardial infarction. LD-1 was measured at intervals of 4-8 h during the first and second hospital days, by an immunochemical method. Of the 65 patients in this study, 26 had acute myocardial infarctions by traditional criteria. The ratio of LD-1 to total LD had greater diagnostic value than did LD-1 alone. In 90% of patients with myocardial infarction this ratio was increased within 12 h of admission, and all had increased ratios within 24 h. The false-positive rate was less than 1%, and an increased LD-1/total LD ratio had a predictive value of 96% for myocardial infarction. These results suggest that LD-1 is useful in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction on the first day of hospitalization.

Clinical Enzyme Tests↗

Evaluation of the IFCC-recommended procedure for serum aspartate aminotransferase as modified for use with the centrifugal analyzer.

The IFCC-recommended procedure for aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1) was adapted to the centrifugal analyzer and evaluated during five years. The main hindrance to widespread use of the recommended method is the need for pre-incubation with pyridoxal phosphate. The present method includes a 10-min pre-incubation with pyridoxal phosphate. Extensive evaluation of the method with and without this pre-incubation confirms earlier reports that it eliminates some significant errors, especially for samples from patients with cardiac disease. However, the pre-incubation can be briefer than the recommended 10 min and still provide acceptable results.

Aspartate Aminotransferases↗

Prostatic acid phosphatase as measured with two radioimmunoassay kits in the detection of prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Serum prostatic acid phosphatase concentration was measured with two commercially available radioimmunoassay kits. Results were compared with histological evidence of prostatic adenocarcinoma obtained at autopsy in 33 patients. The serum assay did not differentiate significantly (p greater than 0.1) between patients with adenocarcinoma and those without. We conclude that the test, at least as performed by use of these kits, is of little value in the detection of occult disease.

Acid Phosphatase↗