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Biomedical subjects

L Brodsky

Publications and source records attributed to L Brodsky.

96 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Optimizing albunex in the left ventricle: an analysis of the technical parameters of four ultrasound systems in canines and humans.

Albunex, an intravascular ultrasound contrast agent, has been used clinically to enhance echocardiographic images. The purpose of this study if (1) to determine whether varying the settings on commercially available ultrasound machines has an effect on left ventricular opacification after intravenously administered Albunex and if there is an effect on left ventricular opacification and (2) to determine the ideal settings for each ultrasound scanner. Six canine hearts were imaged with 1 ml injections of intravenously administered Albunex while varying the transducer frequency, preprocessing curves, postprocessing curves, and dynamic range on a variety of ultrasound units. Subsequently 50 human subjects underwent imaging with the various machines while the dynamic range and transducer frequencies were altered. All subjects received two or three intravenous injections of 10 ml Albunex. The opacification of the left ventricular cavitary images in both parts of the study were interpreted visually on a scale of 0 to 4 (0 = none, 1 = trace, 2 = moderate, 3 = dense, and 4 = ideal) by four observers. The maximum compression and transducer frequency of 3.5 MHz showed significant improvement of left ventricular opacification in both canines and humans. These studies have shown that (1) varying the ultrasound unit's parameters affects the quality of left ventricular imaging when Albunex is used to enhance the image, and (2) higher compression and a transducer frequency of 3.5 MHz tend to enhance Albunex images of canine and human hearts.

Albumins↗

Retinoic acid-induced modulation of IL-2 mRNA production and IL-2 receptor expression on T cells.

BACKGROUND: Retinoic acid (RA) has important immune-modulating effects on both T and B cell function. Our laboratory has shown that RA can enhance in vitro polyclonal B cell immunoglobulin (Ig) response. Investigating cytokines known to affect B cell differentiation, we have recently shown that IL-6 production is augmented by RA. In the present study we have examined the immune modulating effects of RA on IL-2 mRNA, another important cytokine for B cell immunoglobulin production, the expression of IL-2 receptors on T cells, and the RA nuclear receptors. METHODS: Purified T cells were obtained from adenoidal tissues, and incubated with RA (10(-7) M) or DMSO solvent/media control for 0, 6-8, and 24 h. Total mRNA was extracted from T cells, and using RT-PCR, changes in the production of IL-2 and RA receptors (RAR)-alpha,beta,gamma mRNA were determined. The effects of RA on IL-2-alpha receptor expression was determined by flow cytometry on T cells. CONCLUSION: These studies suggest that RA can augment IL-2 mRNA production by T cells with a possible paracrine effect on IL-2R-alpha expression. These changes appear to be mediated by RAR-alpha. Thus, IL-2 may be another important cytokine modulated by RA in the immune response.

Child, Preschool↗

Clinical-pathological correlates of congenital subglottic hemangiomas.

One hundred thirty-six cases of subglottic hemangioma in infants have been reported in the English -language literature; four additional cases are reported here. The clinical presentations, diagnostic work-ups, treatments, and outcomes are analyzed. Twenty-one patients died, 17 of whom underwent autopsy. The histology of the laryngeal pathology from seven of these patients was reviewed by the authors. Possible correlation between the pathological findings and the clinical presentation is made. Approaches to diagnosis and treatment are suggested based on these findings.

Autopsy↗

Benefits of antibiotic prophylaxis in children with chronic sinusitis: assessment of outcome predictors.

Eighty-six children with chronic sinusitis, documented by x-ray with symptoms and signs for more than 12 weeks, were evaluated for atopy and B-cell immune abnormalities. Twenty-nine percent (25/86) of the patients had some B-cell abnormality of immunoglobulin isotype, IgG subclass, and/or hyporesponsiveness to pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPS) vaccine (Pneumovax). Eleven of 17 patients who were hyporesponsive to PPS vaccine had normal immunoglobulin isotypes and IgG subclasses. Twenty-six of these 86 children were followed prospectively for > or = 1 year on prophylactic antibiotics. The 12-month period before the use of prophylactic antibiotics was taken as the control period for each child for comparison. Nineteen of 26 (74%) children had a good outcome (greater than a 50% reduction in the number of exacerbations of sinusitis during a 12-month period compared with the previous year) on prophylactic antibiotics with a reduction in exacerbations of sinusitis from 9.8 per year to 2.7 episodes per year. In contrast, 7/26 had a poor outcome (p < .0001) on prophylactic antibiotics (from 12.6 per year to 8.7 per year on prophylactic antibiotics). There were no significant differences in age, gender, atopy, or presence of a B-cell immune abnormality in the good versus the poor outcome groups to prophylactic antibiotic therapy. Treatment outcome correlated inversely with the number of sinus infections before prophylactic antibiotics, p = .036. Underlying B-cell immune abnormalities could not be correlated with intervention outcome on prophylactic antibiotics. The use of prophylactic antibiotics was an effective treatment modality in children with chronic sinusitis, even in patients with selective immune abnormalities.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

OmniMed II: a new system for use with the emphasis erodible mask.

Clinical experience has shown the emphasis erodible mask to be an effective method for performing photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) using an eyecup placed in contact with the corneal surface. A new system (OmniMed II) which incorporates the erodible mask as an element in the optical delivery system has been developed for performing photorefractive keratectomy. With this new configuration the eyecup is no longer used. We describe in detail the advantages of the erodible mask, the associated hardware of the optical delivery system, and the mask shape transfer process.

Cornea↗