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Biomedical subjects

M Bruce

Publications and source records attributed to M Bruce.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Schmorl's nodes (intravertebral herniations of intervertebral disc tissue) in two historic British populations.

The herniation of the nucleus pulposus into the vertebral body produces ectopic deposit of disc material which are known as Schmorl's nodes. This prolapsed disc tissue leaves characteristic deformations on the surface of the vertebral body and hence the incidence of this lesion can be studied in skeletal remains. This report describes the occurrence of Schmorl's nodes in TV8-SV1 in two historic adult British populations, one from Aberdeen and the other from London. In the Aberdeen group, both males and females showed a high incidence rate and severity of Schmorl's nodes. In the London group, the males had a similarly high affliction whereas the females were nearly free of the condition. The lesion had no significant predilection for any one particular vertebral surface. However, in males in both localities, the frequency of Schmorl's nodes was significantly higher in the thoracic region than in the lumbosacral region. In contrast, both groups of females showed similar node frequency in these two zones. The majority of Schmorl's nodes were localised in the central and central-posterior regions of the vertebral surface. When nodes occurred on successive vertebral surfaces, they often formed sequences showing similar shape and position. The aetiology of Schmorl's nodes is unclear. Various hypothetical causal factors were appraised in relation to the findings of this study. It was suggested that anomalies in vascular and/or notochordal regression may be related to the development of the lesion.

England↗
PubMed1985

Pulmonary air cysts in cystic fibrosis: relation of pathologic features to radiologic findings and history of pneumothorax.

One lung obtained from each of 21 consecutive autopsies in adolescents and young adults with cystic fibrosis was studied prospectively by macroscopic morphometry and light microscopy to determine the prevalence, morphology, and radiographic appearance of subpleural air cysts, which potentially contribute to spontaneous pneumothorax. In 15 lungs, 41 cysts of three anatomic types were identified: bronchiectatic cysts (23), interstitial cysts (13), and emphysematous bullae (5). All cysts were significantly more numerous in the upper lobe. Bronchiectatic cysts had the largest mean diameter, occupied from less than 1 per cent to 47.7 per cent of upper lobe volume in nine patients, and produced large multiloculated hyperlucencies on chest radiographs in five cases. All six lungs with prior pneumothorax contained at least one cyst, but no significant difference was found in the type or proportion of lung volume occupied by cysts between lungs with and without pneumothorax. Patients with large cysts had significantly lower chest radiograph scores, but there was no correlation between the proportion of lung volume occupied by cysts and patient age or duration of either symptomatic lung disease or colonization by bacteria. On chest radiographs only bronchiectatic cysts with conglomerate diameters of greater than 3 cm were visible. Smaller lesions could not be separated from ring shadows produced by bronchiectasis.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Studies on the footpads of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) and their possible relevance to accident prevention.

The incidence of slipping accidents is unknown, but accident and emergency departments in the United Kingdom probably treat over one million injuries per annum caused by slipping of the feet. Many injuries to farm livestock are caused by slipping. Previous research led to speculation that some animal species may have developed slip-resistant feet and the polar bear was chosen for a study of adaption to a slippery environment. Feet were photographed and a footpad was sectioned and examined by light and electron microscopy. Hardness of the footpads of two tranquillized bears was measured. The footpads were found to have a rough papillary surface overlying a soft dermis containing a dense network of collagen and elastic fibres. These findings support a hypothesis that shoe solings for use on an icy substrate should be soft with a hardness value in the region of 24 on the Shore A scale. The surface should be covered in conical projections having a mean diameter of 1 mm. Further work on the feet of animal species could lead to a better understanding of slip-resistance and reduce injuries to humans and livestock.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed1985

Pleura in pneumothorax. Comparison of patients with cystic fibrosis and idiopathic spontaneous pneumothorax.

We studied pleura from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) in order to define abnormalities that predispose to pneumothorax or are unique to CF. We compared the histology of CF pleura with that of young non-CF adults with "idiopathic" pneumothorax. Both CF and non-CF patients with pneumothorax showed distorted elastic fibers in areas of pleural fibrosis, adhesions, or air "cysts." Following pneumothorax, chronic inflammation, granulation tissue, fibrosis, mesothelial hyperplasia, and reactive eosinophilic pleuritis were also common. Although CF pleura appeared more intensely inflamed, only myxoid connective tissue and vascular proliferation were significantly more frequent in CF. Columnar, vacuolated mesothelial cells (Dunnill lesion) were focally observed only in patients with CF. We conclude that extensive degenerative pleural changes may predispose to pneumothorax in CF and represent a nonspecific response to chronic inflammation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Reactivity of monoclonal antibodies directed against blood group antigens M and N.

In order to get more standardized reagents for blood group typing and to get more information on the chemical nature of blood group antigens we have immunized Balb/c mice with whole red blood cells and with sialoglycoprotein fraction from group OMMss cells. As fusion partners mouse myeloma cell lines P3-NS1/1-Ag 4-1 and X63-Ag8.653 were used. Several monoclonal antibodies were obtained, which showed specificity for the M/N antigens. Because of the relationship between M and N antigens this system is a very good example for studying the influence of different parameters on the reactivity of monoclonal antibodies. Each monoclonal antibody behaves like an individuum and for each antibody the dependence of the agglutination reaction of temperature, pH, buffer for dilution and medium, in which the reaction takes place, has to be investigated. Otherwise the results are not comparable and unspecific reactions might occur. By standardizing these parameters specific reactions were obtained and the antibodies might be used as routine reagents.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Reading upper and lower case on Viewdata.

The times taken to read aloud six passages of nonsense text presented in upper or lower case on an ITT Viewdata receiver were compared. Contrary to the usual finding with printed material, upper case text did not significantly retard reading.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1980

A case of Fournier's gangrene.

Fournier's gangrene of the scrotum is an uncommon condition. Its aetiology remains obscure. It has a potentially serious and possibly fatal outcome if not treated quickly and effectively. The following case history demonstrates that a combination of early surgical intervention and intravenous antibiotic therapy will substantially reduce morbidity and mortality.

Gangrene↗