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Biomedical subjects

M E Smith

Publications and source records attributed to M E Smith.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Ocular pathologic findings of chronic granulomatous disease of childhood.

PURPOSE/METHODS: To demonstrate ocular histopathologic findings of chronic granulomatous disease of childhood. The histopathologic results of two enucleated eyes from two patients with chronic granulomatous disease were studied using light microscopy. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: Histopathologic changes in the eye specimens in patients with chronic granulomatous disease included multiple foci of granulomatous inflammation of choroid and sclera.

Choroid↗
PubMed1995

Cell wall extension behavior of Phycomyces sporangiophores during the pressure response.

The cylindrical, single-celled sporangiophore of Phycomyces blakesleeanus grows (enlarges) predominantly in the longitudinal direction during two stages of development; stage I and stage IVb. Cell enlargement (cell wall extension) occurs in a distinct region termed the "growing zone." It was previously reported that a large step-up or pulse-up in turgor pressure, greater than approximately 0.02 MPa, will elicit a transient decrease in longitudinal growth rate of the stage I and stage IVb sporangiophore. This transient decrease in longitudinal growth rate is termed the "pressure response." Both the magnitude and duration of the pressure response depend on the magnitude of the turgor pressure step-up or pulse-up. Qualitatively, the pressure response is similar to the stretch response, which is produced with the application of a longitudinal force (load) on the sporangiophore. In this investigation, the growth (extension) behavior of the cell wall in the growing zone is studied during the pressure response. It is found that both the extension rate of the cell wall in the growing zone and the length of the growing zone decrease during the pressure response, and that together they account for the observed decrease in longitudinal growth rate.

Cell Wall↗
PubMed1995

Intensive voice treatment in Parkinson disease: laryngostroboscopic findings.

As part of ongoing research to investigate and document the efficacy of intensive voice therapy to improve functional communication in patients with idiopathic Parkinson disease, 45 patients were enrolled in a controlled, randomized, prospective study. Pre- to posttreatment comparisons are presented here on 22 of those patients who underwent laryngeal imaging examination. Of the 22 patients, 13 patients received intensive therapy aimed at increasing vocal and respiratory effort (VR), whereas nine received intensive therapy aimed at increasing respiratory effort (R) only. All patients had a pretreatment evaluation that included two (but sometimes only one) voice recordings and an otolaryngologic examination with laryngostroboscopy. At the completion of 4 weeks of therapy (16 sessions), two voice recordings were made, and laryngostroboscopy was again performed. The pre- and posttherapy videolaryngostroboscopy tapes were then randomized and rated by four judges. Raters' findings were then compared with vocal intensity measured before and after therapy. The VR therapy group showed improvements on laryngostroboscopic variables: less glottal incompetence and no significant change in supraglottal hyperfunction after therapy. No differences were observed in the R-only group. The mean intensity increase in the VR therapy group was 12.5 dB, compared with a decrease of 1.9 dB in the R-only group. These findings suggest that in patients with Parkinson disease, intensive therapy focusing on phonatory effort improves adduction of the vocal folds as assessed by laryngostroboscopy. Differences in laryngeal function in these patients observed with fiberoptic laryngoscopy and rigid telescopic laryngoscopy are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

A comparative study of the value of immunohistochemistry and the polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of follicular lymphoma.

We have compared the value of immunohistochemical and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques in distinguishing follicular lymphoma from follicular hyperplasia in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of 41 follicular lymphomas, 15 reactive lymph nodes and 5 reactive tonsils. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated bcl-2 protein in the follicle centre cells of 97% of follicular lymphomas whereas monoclonal immunoglobulin light chain was detected in 83% of cases. Assessing the lowest proliferating follicle of each case by MIB-1 immunostaining, proliferation fractions in the lymphomas varied from 0.5% to 59% (mean 15.6%). Over 80% of lymphomas had proliferation fractions of less than 25%. PCR detected gene rearrangement either at the bcl-2 locus, or at the IgH locus, or at both loci in 32%, 44% and 61% of lymphomas, respectively. The follicle centre cells of the reactive lymph nodes and tonsils were all bcl-2 protein negative and polytypic for kappa and lambda light chains. Proliferation fractions of the lowest proliferating follicle in each reactive case ranged from 30.5% to 86.8% (mean 64.9%). Rearrangements of the bcl-2 or IgH loci were not detected in any reactive case. This study demonstrates that bcl-2 and light chain immunostaining are the most consistently helpful aids to diagnosing follicular lymphoma. A low proliferation fraction also indicates lymphoma but a high proliferation fraction does not exclude the diagnosis. Immunostaining with a combination of anti bcl-2 and MIB 1 antibodies is a sensitive and specific method for identifying follicular lymphoma, is technically simple to perform and easy to interpret. In occasional cases, where immunostaining gives equivocal results, PCR analysis can confirm lymphoma, but a negative result does not exclude the diagnosis.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1995

A family study describing second cousins with cystic fibrosis and no common ancestor who is a carrier.

We describe an extended pedigree in which second cousins are affected with cystic fibrosis (CF). Since the degree of relationship of the affected subjects is 1/32, common descent of one CF mutation was expected when the DNA laboratory undertook mutation analysis. Mutation testing showed that each CF mutation was introduced into the family by random mating and not by descent through a common ancestor. Implications for pedigree analysis and DNA testing are discussed.

Cystic Fibrosis↗
PubMed1995

Changes in the amount of diseased white matter over time in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

MRI is a sensitive technique for assessing disease activity in MS. Diseased white matter (WM) can be identified on T2-weighted images, and active disease is reflected by abnormalities in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) shown on T1-weighted images after administration of paramagnetic contrast agents. Active disease may be demonstrated by contrast-enhanced MRI in patients with early, mild relapsing-remitting (RR) MS even during periods of clinical stability, which indicates that MS is an active process even during the early phase of the illness. To examine the amount of abnormal WM at frequent intervals over time, we studied seven mildly affected RRMS patients, all of whom had frequent contrast-enhancing lesions. These RRMS patients were imaged monthly for 26 to 36 months at 1.5 tesla; the area of abnormal increased WM signal was calculated by image-processing software that utilizes both the T2- and T1-weighted images. All patients showed fluctuations over time in amount of abnormal WM signal, which reflected factors such as the amount of BBB breakdown (measured by number or area of enhancing lesions) and measurement error. All seven RRMS patients, however, showed an overall increase in abnormal WM. Because of the fluctuations between individual measurements, the increase was most accurately reflected when the mean of the first 6 months' measurements was compared with the mean of the final 6 months' measurements, or when a linear regression model was applied.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Blood-brain barrier disruption on contrast-enhanced MRI in patients with mild relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: relationship to course, gender, and age.

MRI has provided insight into the pathophysiology and course of MS, particularly through the use of a paramagnetic contrast agent that allows visualization of blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown. Neither the overall frequency of BBB breakdown in MS patients nor the characteristics associated with BBB breakdown in MS are known. We studied 68 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients with three monthly MRIs to examine these questions. Seventy-eight percent of the RRMS patients studied had evidence of BBB breakdown on at least one MRI. While there was a great deal of variability among patients in terms of mean enhancing lesion frequency, BBB breakdown was associated with younger age at onset of disease, measured by age at first symptom or age at diagnosis, and more severe disease as measured by Expanded Disability Status Scale scores equal to or greater than 4.0. We found no relationship between BBB breakdown and duration of disease or gender. We conclude that BBB breakdown is a relatively common phenomenon in RRMS patients and may be most commonly found in patients with more aggressive disease and younger onset. These findings have implications for clinical trials that use MRI as an outcome measure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Pediatric laryngotracheal reconstruction with cartilage grafts and endotracheal tube stenting: the single-stage approach.

Laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) comprises five stages: 1, characterization of the stenosis; 2, expansion of the lumen; 3, stabilization of the enlarged lumen framework; 4, healing of the surgical site; and 5, decannulation. Single-stage LTR (SS-LTR) combines and compresses stages 3 through 5 (stabilization, healing, and decannulation) into a brief period of postoperative intubation. At Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, from January 1987 to December 1993, 116 reconstructive procedures were performed by using postoperative intubation. Nine were tracheoplasty or stoma-revision procedures in isolation, leaving 107 SS-LTR procedures that included the laryngotracheal complex. The use of SS-LTR has increased to 30% of LTRs performed in 1993. Data are presented on the success of SS-LTR as measured by the number of decannulations and extubations achieved.

Cartilage↗
PubMed1995

Effect of protein supplementation on forage intake and nitrogen balance of lambs fed freshly harvested wheat forage.

Wether lambs (mean BW = 32 kg) fed wheat forage freshly harvested daily (Exp. 1, n = 28; Exp. 2, n = 25) were used to evaluate the effects of supplemental energy and protein on forage intake, diet digestibility, and N retention. Experiment 1 was conducted in the winter of 1988 and the four treatments were 1) CONTROL, no supplement; 2) ENERGY, low-protein corn-based supplement; 3) CSM, 22% CP supplement with cottonseed meal; and 4) CGM, 22% CP supplement with corn gluten meal. Experiment 2 was conducted in the spring of 1989, and the five treatments were 1) CONTROL; 2) ENERGY; 3) CSM, 23% CP with cottonseed meal; 4) FTM, 25% CP supplement with feather meal and corn gluten meal; and 5) BM, 25% CP supplement with blood meal and corn gluten meal. All supplements were isoenergetic and composed 22 and 24% of total DMI in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively. In Exp. 1, forage intake was not affected but total and digestible DMI were increased (P < .01) by energy and protein supplementation. Protein supplements did not (P > .10) increase total and digestible DMI compared to ENERGY supplementation but tended (P < .10) to increase N retention (g/d). In Exp. 2, digestible DMI and N retention did not differ among the five treatments. Results suggest that lambs consuming wheat forage in the vegetative stage (Exp. 1) will have greater digestible DMI if supplemental energy or protein is provided. When more mature wheat forage was fed (Exp. 2), energy seemed to limit animal performance.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1995

Marketing the cosmetic practice via television.

Everyone is marketing their dental practice whether they know it or not. It is far better to design the desired effect than to send mixed messages to your clients. All marketing must be carried out with a plan or mission that is internalized by the doctor and by each member of the staff. The mission coupled with creative talent becomes the proprietary personality of your office and the focus of your marketing efforts. Internal marketing is perhaps the most economical and effective--and most used--method of creating positive results for the practice. External marketing takes your office out to the public most often in print via newsletters, direct mailings, and the yellow pages. Getting the message out through newspapers, radio, and television has and will become increasingly important. This article takes you through the steps we used to identify and market to our cosmetic clients. The results of our demographic and psychographic studies afford unique insight into the type of person attracted by our services. Marketing to this group has to do with diversity in appeal, "the boomers," and experiential motivation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Tachykinin NK3 receptor agonist blocks sodium deficiency-induced shift in taste reactivity.

Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of tachykinin NK3 receptor agonists suppress NaCl intake by sodium deficient rats. The brief exposure, taste reactivity test was used to examine the effect of tachykinins on the immediate, oral reinforcing properties of NaCl (0.5 M) in sodium replete and sodium deficient male rats. In sodium replete rats, intraoral infusions of NaCl elicited a mixed response comprised of a similar number of ingestive and aversive responses following i.c.v. injections of saline and succinyl-[Asp6,N-Me-Phe8]substance P, (6-11), (SENK), a NK3 receptor agonist. When sodium deficient, saline injected rats showed a reliable increase in ingestive and a decrease in aversive taste reactivity responses. Lateral i.c.v. injections of SENK blocked the shift in taste reactivity responses by sodium deficient rats, indicating that concentrated NaCl retained its aversive taste property.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

ACTH (4-10) increases quantal content at the mouse neuromuscular junction.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone 4-10 (ACTH 4-10), in concentrations of 50 nM and 1 microM, increased both the frequency of miniature endplate potentials and the amplitude of the endplate potentials in addition to decreasing the number of failures following stimulation of the phrenic nerve in the mouse in vitro. There was no effect of the peptide on either the amplitude of the miniature endplate potentials or the resting membrane potential of the muscle fibres. These results indicate that the action of ACTH 4-10 was to increase the quantal content of the endplate potential via a presynaptic action.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1994

Correlation of clinical features and findings on cranial magnetic resonance imaging with urinary myelin basic protein-like material in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Immunoreactive material that appears to be a peptide encompassing all or a portion of residues 80 to 89 of myelin basic protein is present in normal unconcentrated urine and is increased in certain patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Compared with normal controls, urines collected randomly from 158 MS patients or in a clinical research unit from 8 patients with MS had higher mean values of urinary MBP-like material (MBPLM). The level of MBPLM in urine showed no direct relationship to MBPLM in cerebrospinal fluid and did not correlate with clinical relapses of disease. In the other neurological disease control group (26 patients), some patients with other inflammatory diseases, but not stroke or early phase Guillain-Barré syndrome, also showed elevations. Among the subtypes of MS, those with secondary chronic progressive disease had the highest values. Urinary MBPLM showed no definite correlation with or effect of treatment with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants except that a lower level of urinary MBPLM showed a weak relationship with improvement following treatment with methylprednisolone/prednisone. In a serial study of 8 patients with unenhanced cranial magnetic resonance imaging and 20 patients with gadolinium-enhanced cranial magnetic resonance imaging, urinary MBPLM did not show a direct correlation with new or enhancing lesions. Urinary MBPLM does not parallel acute myelin damage but appears to reflect an ongoing process, possibly linked to attempted efforts at remyelination.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Serial contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in patients with early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: implications for treatment trials.

Serial monthly contrast-enhanced MRIs were performed in 10 early relapsing-remitting patients with multiple sclerosis and 2 patients with chronic progressive disease for a period of 12 to 55 months. MRI was performed at 1.5 T using contiguous 5-mm slices with pre- and postgadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) T1-weighted and T2-weighted images. New and total number of Gd-DTPA-enhancing lesions were numbered and counted and lesion areas were correlated to an increase of > or = 0.5 in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores. The frequency of enhancing lesions varied from patient to patient; however, there was a correlation between a burst of enhancing lesion number and area above the individual's mean lesion frequency to an increase in EDSS score. A bootstrap analysis of the lesion count was performed to develop a statistical basis for determining population sizes for treatment trials. These results provide a basis for the potential use of contrast-enhanced MRI as a primary outcome measure in phase II treatment trials involving patients with relapsing-remitting MS.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Interstitial laser photocoagulation as a treatment for breast cancer.

This preliminary report describes the use of interstitial laser photocoagulation to manage small breast cancers. Forty-four patients were treated with a diode laser of 805 nm under local anaesthesia in the interval between diagnosis and surgery. Ultrasonography was used in 42 patients and computed tomography (CT) in two to place the fibre in the tumour and monitor laser effects. Laser-induced necrosis within the resected tumour varied from 0 to 25 mm in diameter. The presence of charring in the tumour around the fibre tip after treatment was associated with significantly larger diameters of necrosis than when charring did not occur (median 13 versus 6 mm, P = 0.002). Precharring the fibre resulted in a more predictable diameter of necrosis (median 14 mm). Ultrasonography was inaccurate in assessing laser damage; dynamic CT and magnetic resonance imaging may be of more use. Interstitial laser photocoagulation is simple and safe, and can produce necrosis of a reasonably predictable extent.

Breast↗