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Biomedical subjects

M L Smith

Publications and source records attributed to M L Smith.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

Prenatal diagnosis of cystinosis utilizing chorionic villus sampling.

The prenatal diagnosis of cystinosis is currently based on the increased amount of free-cystine present in amniotic fluid cells. Amniocyte cultures must be grown for at least 2 weeks to obtain sufficient cells for such measurements. Thus, the diagnosis cannot be made until close to 20 weeks gestational age by this method. We report a case in which chorionic villi were used for direct cystine measurement resulting in the in utero diagnosis of cystinosis at 9 weeks gestational age. The diagnosis was confirmed by the study of cultured chorionic villus cells, and of the 10-week abortus.

Chorionic Villi↗

Automated quantitative fluorescent image analysis of cervical cytology.

Cervical cytology from 122 patients with histories of one or more abnormal Pap smears were studied using slide-based automated quantitative fluorescence image analysis (QFIA) in order to determine the usefulness of the QFIA technique in detecting neoplasias. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the accuracy and validity of QFIA as a cytological method for the early detection of cervical cancer, based on comparisons with the conventional Pap smear and histopathology. The results of the analysis demonstrated that the sensitivity of the automated QFIA cytology was 100% for high-grade neoplasms (CIN III and invasive carcinoma), compared with 82% for the Pap smear. Evaluation of lower grade neoplasms was also performed. Initial analyses of the data indicate that QFIA, which uses objective biochemical criteria to identify cells with increased nuclear nucleic acid content, is a more sensitive detector of cervical neoplasia of all grades than is conventional Pap cytology.

Acridine Orange↗

Effect of 60-minute head-down tilt on arterial baroreflex function in anesthetized dogs.

Arterial baroreflex control of heart rate was assessed in 6 anesthetized dogs with a bolus infusion of phenylephrine before and during cardiopulmonary receptor stimulation by 6 degrees head-down tilt (HDT) for 60 min. No difference in arterial baroreflex function was observed between the control and HDT conditions. It appears that the attenuation of baroreflex function that occurs during acute stimulation of cardiopulmonary baroreceptors disappears when cardiopulmonary baroreceptors reset after prolonged stimulation.

Anesthesia↗

Improving splintage techniques in pyeloplasty.

One hundred patients undergoing pyeloplasty were studied and the outcome assessed with particular reference to the splintage technique used. A double J stent was used in 16 patients instead of a more traditional external drainage technique. The use of the double J stent for splintage of a pyeloplasty anastomosis was associated with a marked reduction in hospital stay and with fewer post-operative complications when compared with external drainage techniques. The double J stent is recommended in cases where a pyeloplasty anastomosis is to be splinted.

Adolescent↗

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of phenothiazine tranquillisers in horses.

An acepromazine (ACP) hapten was synthesised, coupled to bovine serum albumin and injected into a horse to produce antibodies to the drug. A competitive ELISA was developed whereby ACP attached to the solid phase via lysozyme competed with free ACP present in phosphate buffered saline, horse serum or horse urine for limiting amounts of antibody. The assay could detect the presence of ACP and, or, some of its metabolites in horse urine for at least 25 hours after intravenous injection of 0.1 mg kg-1 ACP maleate, but because of non-specific interference, horse serum could not be used. As little as 0.24 micrograms ml-1 ACP or its metabolites could be detected. The level of detection and the ease of performance of the assay make it an attractive alternative to the more complex methods currently available for the screening of horse urine samples at horse races, shows and sales.

Acepromazine↗

Uterus didelphys with unilateral hematocolpos, ipsilateral renal agenesis and menses. A case report and literature review.

A 13-year-old girl with signs and symptoms of an acute abdomen was found to have uterus didelphys, unilateral hematocolpos, ipsilateral renal agenesis and menses. A review of the literature in English revealed 115 reported cases. This complex congenital anomaly is seen most commonly in adolescents with dysmenorrhea of progressive severity, abdominal pain and a pelvic mass.

Adolescent↗

Physical fitness and hemodynamic response of women to lower body negative pressure.

Aerobic fitness as assessed by maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) has been shown to be associated with an attenuated baroreflex function during lower body negative pressure (LBNP) in men. Sixteen women (mean age = 24.7 yrs) were evaluated during progressive LBNP to -50 torr. Each subject's VO2max was determined using indirect calorimetry during the Bruce protocol exercise test. Eight subjects [mean VO2max = 56.8 (ml O2 X min-1) X kg-1] were designated as trained, and eight subjects [mean VO2max = 39.4 (ml O2 X min-1) X kg-1] were designated as untrained. During LBNP, heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac index, forearm blood flow, and leg circumference were measured. All subjects completed the LBNP protocol without clinical symptoms of pre-syncope. The over-all hemodynamic responses of both groups to LBNP were qualitatively similar to previous findings reported for males. However, no significant differences in response of hemodynamic variables were observed between trained and untrained subjects during LBNP to -50 torr (P greater than 0.05) except for vascular resistance and diastolic blood pressure at -50 torr where the untrained value was greater than the trained value. This would suggest that a fitness-related difference may have been present at higher levels of LBNP. Furthermore, in contrast to previous reports in males, the index of baroreflex responsiveness (delta heart rate/delta systolic blood pressure) was similar for both groups (P greater than 0.05). When these data were compared with a similar subject pool of males, the females displayed a significantly greater (P less than 0.05) tolerance of LBNP to -50 torr regardless of fitness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Effect of muscle tension on the cardiovascular responses to lower body negative pressure in man.

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of moderate (non-hypertensive) levels of muscle tension on the cardiovascular responses to progressive lower body negative pressure (LBNP) in eight healthy male volunteers. Subjects were presented with progressive LBNP to -50 torr or the occurrence of vasovagal symptoms during three different levels of electromyographic activity in the lower limbs represented by the relaxed state, 5 and 10% maximal voluntary contraction. The same procedure was also performed at the same three levels of electromyographic activity in the arms with concomitant relaxation of the abdomen and lower extremities. In 75% of the subjects, pre-syncopal reactions were observed during the relaxed state while no pre-syncopal responses occurred during the elevated muscle tension levels. Both levels of muscle tension in the legs attenuated the LBNP-induced decrease in blood pressure (P less than 0.05). The effect of the 5% maximal voluntary contraction tension level appeared to be due to a compressive effect on the vascular tree, because similar levels of tension in the forearm had minimal effect on the blood pressure response to LBNP. In addition to a compressive effect, the 10% maximal voluntary contraction tension level appeared to induce a reflex stimulation of the heart as evidenced by an augmented heart rate response to LBNP and an increase in cardiac output. The muscle tension appeared to induce a mechanical compression of the vascular tree which was accompanied by somatopressor reflex responses, resulting in a maintenance of blood pressure that was primarily mediated by a maintained cardiac output.

Adult↗

A 13C-NMR study of mutant hemoglobins with altered oxygen affinity.

The 13CO-NMR spectra of carbonylhemoglobins Saint Mandé (beta 102Asn----Tyr), Malmö (beta 97His----Gln), Hôtel Dieu (beta 99Asp----Gly) and Ao have been determined. The positions of the 13CO resonances for hemoglobins Ao, Malmö and Hôtel Dieu were similar indicating similar ligand environments for all. The 13CO resonance for the beta-subunit of Saint Mandé was upfield-shifted compared to the others. This is evidence that structural changes at the beta 102 position directly affect iron-ligand bonding as well as quaternary structure.

Carbon Isotopes↗

Structural aspects of ischemic brain damage.

The structural changes during cerebal ischemia are reviewed. In the acute phase the neurons may show either pale or dark type of ischemic injury. The former is usually associated with complete ischemia and the structural alterations are fairly inconspicious, while the latter is seen in incomplete ischemia or ischemia with recirculation and is characterized by shrinkage of neurons with extensive mitochondrial swelling and astrocytic edema. Both types of injury may be irreversible, but long post-ischemic period is usually necessary to see the final outcome of the insult, all the more since the neurons may not die until after a free postischemic interval (even with resumed function) of several hours to days. The delayed death is preceded by peculiar proliferation of cytoplasmic membranes before the doomed neurons become shrunken and disintegrate. This "maturation phenomenon" or "delayed neuronal death" is understandably important since it suggests that a longer postischemic interval for therapeutic interventions may exist. Several factors both during and after the ischemic insult can modify the changes and affect the severity of the damager among the most important ones are the degree of lactic acidosis during the ischemic period, as well as the characteristics of the neurons, since excitoxic damage by transmitter substances released by the ischemic insult has been suggested to be responsible for the delayed neuronal death.

Acidosis, Lactic↗

Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder primary presentation as a Krukenberg tumor.

A 34-year-old female presented with a right ovarian Krukenberg tumor, which initially was thought to be a granulosa cell tumor. Eight months later, necropsy revealed a primary signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) of the urinary bladder. When occurring in females, this rare bladder tumor often exhibits ovarian metastases. This case appears to be the first reported example of a signet-ring cell carcinoma of the bladder presenting as a Krukenberg tumor.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

Changes in extra- and intracellular pH in the brain during and following ischemia in hyperglycemic and in moderately hypoglycemic rats.

Incomplete forebrain ischemia of 15-min duration was induced in rats made hyperglycemic or moderately hypoglycemic prior to ischemia. Tissue CO2 tension, CO2 content, labile tissue metabolites, and extracellular pH (pHe) were measured, and intracellular pH (pHi) was derived by calculation on the assumption that cerebral intracellular fluids can be lumped into one space. In hypoglycemic animals, mean tissue lactate content increased from 2 to 10 mumol g-1. Tissue CO2 content was virtually unchanged and the CO2 tension increased from approximately 50 to approximately 145 mm Hg. In hyperglycemic animals, tissue lactate content rose to 20 mumol g-1, and the CO2 content decreased by 25%, demonstrating that some CO2 was lost to the blood supplied by the remaining perfusion. Accordingly, tissue CO2 tension did not rise above 200 mm Hg. pHe was reduced in proportion to the amount of lactate accumulated, the values obtained in hypo- and hyperglycemic animals showing relatively little scatter (6.76 +/- 0.03 and 6.25 +/- 0.04, respectively). In hypoglycemic animals the extracellular HCO-3 concentration was virtually unchanged, demonstrating that any influx of lactic acid from the cells must have been accompanied by H+ efflux and/or HCO-3 influx via independent routes. In hyperglycemic animals [HCO-3]e fell by greater than 10 mumol ml-1. In both groups [HCO-3]e was reduced during the first 5 min of recovery. Recovery of pHe was slower in hyper- than in hypoglycemic animals. During ischemia calculated pHi fell to 6.37 +/- 0.04 and 5.95 +/- 0.06 in hypo- and hyperglycemic animals, respectively. Differences in pHi were maintained for the first 15 min of recovery, but in both hypo- and hyperglycemic animals pHi had normalized after 30 min. It is concluded that preischemic hyperglycemia leads to a more pronounced intra- and extracellular acidosis than normo- and hypoglycemia, an acidosis that also resolves more slowly during recirculation.

Acidosis↗

Serum zinc levels in sheep with experimental pancreatic abnormalities.

Serum zinc levels were measured in sheep before and after total pancreatectomy, pancreatic duct ligation, alloxan treatment, and pancreatic biopsy. Values were elevated after each procedure, but only total pancreatectomy and pancreatic duct ligation caused a significant increase (t = 3.5, p less than 0.05; t = 2.8, p less than 0.05, respectively). These effects were not due to changes in serum proteins. The results are consistent with a model in which the pancreas removes zinc from blood and subsequently eliminates it via the pancreatic duct. Facilitation of intestinal absorption of zinc by pancreatic products and effects of insulin on serum zinc are less significant.

Animals↗

Extra- and intracellular pH during near-complete forebrain ischemia in the rat.

The objective of the present study was to estimate extracellular pH (pHe) and intracellular pH (pHi) during near-complete forebrain ischemia in the rat, and to evaluate the relative importance of lactic acidosis and rise in tissue Pco2 (Ptco2) in causing pHe and pHi to fall. The animals, which were ventilated, normoxic, normocapnic, and normothermic, were subjected to 15 min of ischemia, either without or with 30-60 min of recirculation. Ptco2 was measured with a tissue electrode, pHe with a double-barrel liquid ion-exchanger microelectrode, changes in extracellular fluid (ECF) volume by impedance measurements, tissue CO2 content by a microdiffusion technique, and labile tissue metabolites by enzymatic fluorometric methods. Ischemia caused Ptco2 to rise to between 95 and 190 mm Hg (mean 149 mm Hg), and pHe to fall by 0.45-1.05 units (mean 0.70 units). During recovery, Ptco2 normalized within 5 min and pHe after 15-30 min. During ischemia, high-energy phosphates were depleted and tissue lactate content increased to 15 mumol X g-1. The total CO2 content (Tco2) was minimally or moderately reduced (normal, 11.9 mumol X g-1; range of ischemic values, 7.9-12.1 mumol X g-1), this range probably reflecting variable amounts of remaining blood flow. Impedance measurements demonstrated that ECF volume during ischemia was reduced to 55% of control, with gradual normalization during the first 15-30 min of recirculation. From values for Ptco2, Tco2, [HCO3-]e, and ECF volume, [HCO3-]i and pHi could be calculated. These values pertain to an idealized homogeneous intracellular compartment, and the methods used cannot detect whether different intracellular compartments diverge in their acid-base responses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Mediastinal imaging in lung cancer.

Sixty-six patients with lung cancer underwent mediastinal staging with gallium scanning, CT scanning and mediastinal exploration at mediastinoscopy and/or thoracotomy. Histological findings at time of mediastinal exploration were correlated with the results of the non-invasive staging scans. Gallium scanning had an accuracy of 78.8 per cent and CT scanning had an accuracy of 77.3 per cent. There was no evidence of increased test accuracy by performing both scans in the same individual. Either scanning technique may be utilised as a simple non-invasive mediastinal staging procedure, and where negative it is appropriate to proceed directly to thoracotomy.

Gallium Radioisotopes↗