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Biomedical subjects

L Reese

Publications and source records attributed to L Reese.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Interstitial cells of Cajal mediate enteric inhibitory neurotransmission in the lower esophageal and pyloric sphincters.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Previous studies have suggested that a specific class of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) act as mediators in nitrergic inhibitory neurotransmission. The aim of this investigation was to examine the role of intramuscular ICC (IC-IM) in neurotransmission in the murine lower esophageal (LES) and pyloric sphincters (PS). METHODS: Immunohistochemistry and electrophysiology were used to study the distribution and role of IC-IM. RESULTS: The LES and PS contain spindle-shaped IC-IM, which form close relationships with nitric oxide synthase-containing nerve fibers. The PS contains ICC within the myenteric plexus and c-Kit immunopositive cells along the submucosal surface of the circular muscle. IC-IM were absent in the LES and PS of c-kit (W/Wv) mutant mice. Using these mutants, we tested whether IC-IM mediate neural inputs in the LES and PS. Although the distribution of inhibitory nerves was normal in W/Wv animals, NO-dependent inhibitory neurotransmission was reduced. Hyperpolarizations to sodium nitroprusside were also attenuated in W/Wv animals. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that IC-IM play an important role in NO-dependent neurotransmission in the LES and PS. IC-IM may be the effectors that transduce NO signals into hyperpolarizing responses. Loss of IC-IM may interfere with relaxations and normal motility in these sphincters.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Multicenter trial validation of a camera-based method to measure Tc-99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine, or Tc-99m MAG3, clearance.

PURPOSE: To evaluate an improved camera-based method for calculating the clearance of technetium-99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) in a multicenter trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tc-99m MAG3 scintigraphy was performed in 49 patients at three sites in the United States and Canada. The percentage of the injected dose of Tc-99m MAG3 in the kidney at 1-2, 1.0-2.5, and 2-3 minutes after injection was correlated with the plasma-based Tc-99m MAG3 clearances. The data were combined with the results obtained in 20 additional patients in a previously published pilot study. RESULTS: Regression models correlating the plasma-based Tc-99m MAG3 clearance with the percentage uptake in the kidney for each time interval were developed; there was no statistically significant difference among sites in the regression equations. Correction for body surface area statistically significantly (P < .005) improved the correlation coefficient for each time interval. For the 1.0-2.5-minute interval, the body surface area-corrected correlation coefficient for the four combined sites was .87, and it improved to .93 when one outlier was omitted from the analysis. Similar results were obtained with the other time intervals. Independent processing by two observers showed no clinically important differences in the percentage dose in the kidney or in relative function. CONCLUSION: An improved camera-based method to calculate the clearance of Tc-99m MAG3 was validated in a multicenter trial.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Phase I clinical trial with a human major histocompatibility complex nonrestricted cytotoxic T-cell line (TALL-104) in dogs with advanced tumors.

The human TALL-104 cell line is endowed with a uniquely potent MHC nonrestricted tumoricidal activity across several species. In view of the potential applicability of TALL-104 cells as an anticancer agent, this study was conducted to evaluate the possible toxicity and efficacy of this new cell therapy in a superior animal model with spontaneous tumors. Nineteen canine cases with advanced, refractory malignancies of various histological types were entered in the study. All dogs had failed all other available treatments and had very limited life expectancy. Cyclosporin A was administered p.o. (10 mg/kg/day) starting from the day before TALL-104 cell administration throughout the treatment to prevent rejection of the xenogeneic effectors. Lethally irradiated (40 Gy) TALL-104 cells (10(8)/kg) were administered systemically following two treatment schedules. In the first schedule, the cells were given every other day for 2 weeks in a row and then once a week for 3 additional weeks; in the second schedule, TALL-104 cells were administered daily for a total of 5 days. None of the 19 cases showed significant clinical or laboratory toxicity; in addition, none of the dogs had to be withdrawn from the study because of immediate adverse reactions to the infusions. The severe side effects usually associated with classical lymphokine-activated killer therapy in association with high doses of interleukin 2, such as "capillary leak syndrome," were absent in this study. Remarkably, TALL-104 therapy induced various degrees of antitumor effects in 7 of the 19 dogs, including 1 complete response (continuing at +13 months), three partial responses (duration of 2 months, 3 months, and continuing at +2 months), and three transient responses. Clinical responses and immunological parameters correlated well in each case. Taken together, these data indicate that systemic administration of lethally irradiated TALL-104 cells in the absence of exogenous interleukin 2 may be regarded as a safe and promising adjuvant type of treatment for advanced cancer patients.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Transmission computed tomography imaging of the head with a SPECT system and a collimated line source.

UNLABELLED: Transmission images of relatively high resolution as compared to SPECT are needed for brain SPECT quantification to provide skull thickness, attenuation coefficients and anatomical correlation. Consequently, a technique to acquire transmission CT images with a SPECT system by using a collimated line source positioned at the focal line of a fanbeam collimator (FBC) has been developed. METHODS: Computer simulations that model the transmission imaging system optimized the system resolution and tested the validity of a equation for the geometric efficiency of the line source collimator (LSC). Based on the computer simulations, a LSC was constructed with tantalum septa 100 mm long, 0.5 mm thick and spaced 1.0 mm apart. A 600-mm focal length FBC was used. Experiments were conducted to measure the system resolution and to determine the effect of the LSC on the amount of detected scatter. RESULTS: The simulations showed that without a LSC the transmission images have a longitudinal resolution (LR) characterized by the resolutions of the FBC (depth-dependent, approximately 8 mm FWHM at 150 mm) and the detector (approximately 4 mm). However, with an optimally designed LSC, the contribution of the FBC to the system resolution can be made negligible, creating a system with a LR that is comparable to the detector resolution and independent of object depth. Resolution experiments conducted with a lucite rod phantom showed that the LR and TR are better than 4.8 mm and confirmed the results of the computer simulations. CONCLUSION: Brain transmission images of relatively high isotropic resolution can be obtained using a SPECT system, a FBC and an optimized LSC.

Brain↗
PubMed1992

Correction for attenuation in technetium-99m-HMPAO SPECT brain imaging.

We present a correction technique that uses the effective bone and tissue attenuation coefficients to compensate 99mTc-HMPAO brain SPECT projections for attenuation. Transverse images of a human skull filled with a uniform mixture of 99mTc and gelatin have a greater count density at the center with respect to the periphery when corrected for attenuation with the effective water/tissue coefficient of 0.12 cm-1. An attenuation coefficient of 0.09 cm-1 produces uniform images at the expense of a reduced count density. Additional experiments with phantoms wrapped with aluminum (to simulate bone) indicate that the greater count density at the image center is a result of increased attenuation at the edges of the projections where there is a greater path length through the aluminum (or bone). SPECT projections explicitly corrected for both bone and soft-tissue attenuation result in images of improved uniformity and increased count density.

Brain↗
PubMed1992

Effects of dipyridamole infusion on human renal function observed using technetium-99m-DTPA.

Our observation that a prolonged dipyridamole infusion reduced or eliminated blood clearance of Gd-DTPA in dogs led us to investigate if dipyridamole, infused intravenously at rates comparable to those used in thallium myocardial perfusion tests, would alter renal filtration in humans. Renal filtration was assessed using a bolus injection of 10 mCi of 99mTc-DTPA in five males (19-63 yr old) with normal serum urea and creatinine. Twenty minutes following the bolus injection a 10-min intravenous infusion of either dipyridamole (0.14 mg/kg/min) or saline sham was given. Four to 10 min following the start of the dipyridamole infusion, a paradoxical rise in counts in the kidney region of interest was observed and persisted for 10 to 27 min. During this time, a 13% to 52% (mean +/- s.d., 40% +/- 16%, p less than 0.007) reduction in the exponential slope defining the clearance of counts from the cardiac region of interest occurred (implying a reduction of glomerular filtration rate), mean heart rate increased 27 +/- 5 bpm, p less than 0.002 and mean diastolic pressure decreased 12.9 +/- 6.4 mmHg, p less than 0.028. This finding indicates that renal clearance of tracers such as thallium or contrast agents such as Gd-DTPA is reduced during dipyridamole infusion.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Hearing screening in a dental office using self-assessment.

Experiences in a statewide health fair screening program prompted development of alternate methods for screening hearing of adults including one in a dental office summarized here. Because it was considered impractical to use pure-tone screening, several self-assessment procedures were tested against pure-tone findings in a pilot study. As a result, the Rating Scale for Each Ear (RSEE) was selected for use. In the pilot and main study, 796 adult dental patients were evaluated and 21 to 29% failed the screening, depending on whether self-assessment procedures or pure tones were used. Although the dental office staff was generally supportive of the program, there were some problems in implementation. The number who returned for follow-up (N = 14) was disappointing, but there were several very positive benefits to the program including distribution of earplugs and education on the adverse effects of noise. In terms of general feasibility of such screening, from an epidemiology standpoint the program was judged to have good efficacy and efficiency but there were serious problems in effectiveness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Cost analysis of magnetic resonance imaging at St. Joseph's Health Centre of London.

In April 1986 St. Joseph's Health Centre of London, Ont., completed 3 years of operating a magnetic resonance imaging unit. The first 2 years were devoted to research and development. From Apr. 1, 1985, to Mar. 31, 1986, the unit operated as the first clinical service unit in Canada. Over the 12 months 1671 patients (an average of 9 patients per 12-hour day) were examined. Studies of the brain (62%) and the spine (21%) accounted for most of the procedures. The operating costs for the year were $892,000; revenues totalled $449,000, for a deficit of $443,000. The average technical cost per patient was $534. Increasing the number of patients examined per year would lower the cost to $431.

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed1986

Magnetic resonance imaging for detecting lesions of multiple sclerosis: comparison with computed tomography and clinical assessment.

Eighty-two patients with known or suspected multiple sclerosis (MS) were examined by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a 0.15-T resistive scanner. The diagnosis could be made by MRI in 34 (97%) of the 35 patients with chronic, well-documented, stable MS and by high-volume delayed x-ray computed tomography (HVD CT) in only 6 (54%) of 11 patients in this group. The stage of the disease as judged from the MRI scans correlated poorly with the clinical status of the patient and with the known duration of the disease. MRI identified 28 (88%) of the 32 patients in whom MS was subsequently diagnosed by a neurologist, whereas regular contrast or HVD CT identified only 11 (52%) of 21 such patients. MRI is the most sensitive imaging modality for MS but is of little value in assessing the severity of the disease: many of the lesions seen on MRI scans are clinically "silent", and MRI does not usually detect small lesions in the brainstem, cerebellum or spinal cord that may be clinically significant.

Brain↗
PubMed1986

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in chronic stable multiple sclerosis: double-blind study.

We carried out a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) in patients with chronic stable MS. Eighty-two patients were treated in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber with gas supplied by mask. Forty-one patients received 20 consecutive daily treatments of 100% O2 followed by 7 "booster" treatments in the next 6 months; 41 control patients received "air" (12.5% O2 at 1.75 atmospheres absolute). There was no significant difference in treatment and control groups in the Extended Kurtzke Disability scores, Kurtzke Functional scores, magnetic resonance imaging, or evoked potentials after the initial 20 treatments or after the boosters. HBO is not effective in treating chronic stable MS.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Quantitation of lung water by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. A preliminary study.

Pulmonary edema was produced in four anesthetized dogs by saline lavage. The animals were maintained by assisted ventilation with O2/halothane and examined by a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) 0.15T resistive-magnet imager. The distribution of edematous fluid was clearly observed. Image contrast increased with prolongation of the cycle time (TR). Tomographic maps of spin-lattice relaxation times (T1) of the lungs were calculated from the NMR images. Comparison of T1 values with gravimetric measurements of water content of lung samples showed significant correlation (r = .7, P less than .02, n = 12) suggesting a potential for in vivo lung water quantitation by NMR imaging. This in vivo correlation is qualitatively similar to the in vitro correlation. Accurate in vivo determinations of pulmonary T2 values may require respiratory gating.

Animals↗