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Biomedical subjects

L Clark

Publications and source records attributed to L Clark.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Superoxide dismutase and allopurinol improve survival in an animal model of hemorrhagic shock.

We studied the efficacy of resuscitation with antioxidants in an animal model of hemorrhagic shock. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized, and 27 mL/kg of blood was withdrawn from the carotid artery over 2 minutes. The animals remained in hemorrhagic shock for 45 minutes, followed by 1 hour of resuscitation. Experimental groups were as follows: 1) 15,000 u/kg superoxide dismutase (SOD) in 54 mL/kg lactated Ringer (LR); 2) 175,000 u/kg catalase (CAT) in LR; 3) 15,000 u/kg SOD+175,000 u/kg CAT in LR; 4) allopurinol in LR; 5) deferoxamine bound to pentafraction (DFO), 27 mL/kg; 6) pentafraction alone; and 7) LR alone. Compared with resuscitation with LR alone, SOD and allopurinol improved survival over 72 hours, P < 0.05. Survival with SOD+CAT was not different from LR alone. Deferoxamine bound to pentafraction did not increase survival over that with pentafraction alone. CAT had increased mortality compared to LR, P < 0.01. The efficacy of both SOD and allopurinol in decreasing mortality suggests the importance of superoxide radicals after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation. These and other antioxidants are potential therapeutic agents in the clinical setting of trauma and hemorrhagic shock.

Allopurinol↗

Immortalization of murine B cells in vitro with oncogene-containing retroviral vectors.

A large panel of oncogene-containing retroviral vectors has been constructed and used to infect activated murine splenic B cells to determine whether particular oncogenes are capable of directly mediating B cell immortalization. Mature B cell lines have been consistently established with some of these retroviral vectors. These B cell lines arose at a low frequency, indicating that more genetic events were required in addition to infection with the retroviral vector for immortalization to occur. All such lines were LPS-dependent and non-tumorigenic. All lines secrete IgG and express surface IgG, but not IgD or IgM. In addition, they are CD11b+ and CD23-. These cells may be derived from the CD5 "lineage" or a related B cell subset and appear to be more susceptible to immortalization than conventional B cells.

Animals↗

Effective audit: reporting to the National Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Deaths.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of computer based and manual district and unit information systems for identifying hospital deaths eligible for reporting to the National Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Deaths (NCEPOD). DESIGN: Prospective six to 10 week study of hospital (death register, immediate coding of medical records) and district information systems followed by six month assessment after modification to entry of data. SETTING: Acute units within Lewisham and North Southwark Health District. PATIENTS: All 290 patients dying in hospital during the six weeks, for whom the medical records were obtainable in 231. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensitivity and specificity of the information systems in ascertaining eligible surgical deaths (patients dying in hospital who had during 30 days previously had a surgical procedure while under the care of a consultant in a surgical specialty) tested against validated list of screened medical records. RESULTS: Of 231 medical records, 30 (12 from Lewisham, 18 from North Southwark) met the national inquiry's criteria. The computer based systems of both units detected less than 60% of eligible deaths (sensitivity 53%, specificity 83%); the death register detected about 60% (sensitivity 61%, specificity 89%); manual systems detected all eligible deaths. Subsequent modification to ensure immediate coding of records into the computerised systems during follow up failed to show any improvement. IMPLICATIONS: Routine hospital information systems may miss up to half the deaths eligible for NCEPOD.

Hospital Information Systems↗

Shared T-cell receptor gene usage in experimental allergic neuritis and encephalomyelitis.

Experimental allergic neuritis, an autoimmune disease of the peripheral nervous system, is a model for human Guillain-Barré syndrome. Experimental allergic neuritis is mediated by CD4+ T cells reactive with myelin P2 protein. We demonstrate that these T cells use the same members of T-cell receptor V gene families for both their alpha (V alpha 2) and beta (V beta 8) chains as T cells that cause experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Furthermore, these T cells appear to be idiotypically related. Therefore, completely different T-cell lines with different antigen specificities, producing entirely different diseases, share common T-cell receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Non-oral etiologies of oral malodor and altered chemosensation.

A number of non-oral causes for oral malodor have been discussed. Several well documented etiologies for non-oral malodor include renal failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and diabetes mellitus. Each of these conditions has been examined using analytical instrumentation. In addition there appear to be several other metabolic conditions involving enzymatic and transport anomalies (such as trimethylaminuria) which lead to the systemic production of volatile malodors that manifest themselves as halitosis and/or altered chemoreception. Our studies include patients who have been referred to us after being examined by numerous clinical specialists with no identification or relief from their problem. This is due in part to the intermittent nature of many of these problems as well as an apparent lack of knowledge concerning many of these metabolic problems and their relation to oral symptoms.

Acetoin↗

Nursing clinical education: a partnership with health information management professionals.

Today's HIM professional can be a positive and an integral component in providing nursing clinical education. Creativity is the key. HIM professionals can share expertise in the documentation and quality assessment process as well as in the transition to the computerized patient record. By providing HIM information through nursing clinical education, a collaborative partnership can emerge.

Computer User Training↗

Observations, legends, and conjectures concerning restricted T-cell receptor usage and autoimmune disease.

It has become clear over the past few years that a variety of experimental autoimmune conditions are mediated by T cells bearing a highly restricted subset of antigen receptors. This restricted TcR usage raises important questions concerning not only the recognition of autoantigens, but also the pathogenic mechanisms underlying many models of autoimmunity. Furthermore, the extension of these findings in certain cases to human disease has raised the possibility of specific therapeutic immune intervention. In this review, we examine the available data on restricted T-cell receptor usage in autoimmune disorders and explore the interpretations and the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

Autoimmune Diseases↗