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Biomedical subjects

M McCarthy

Publications and source records attributed to M McCarthy.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

A modified double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measurement of alpha-1-antitrypsin in biologic fluids.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT) is the major protease inhibitor in human serum, and plays an important role protecting tissues from potentially harmful enzymes released during inflammatory reactions. Proteolytic enzymes such as leukocyte elastase are usually released and inactivated locally at the site of inflammation, so there has been much recent interest in measuring local alpha 1AT concentrations in biologic fluids. In this study, we developed a modified double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and used it to measure alpha 1AT concentrations in several biologic fluids. The assay was sensitive to as little as 20 ng/ml of alpha 1AT. Serum concentrations measured by the ELISA correlated well with levels determined by radial immunodiffusion (RID) and the ELISA was far more sensitive than RID. In synovial fluid, higher concentrations determined by the ELISA compared with RID probably reflect interference of diffusion of alpha 1AT in the RID gel by hyaluronic acid and protease-inhibitor complexes. Synovial fluid did not interfere with the detection of added alpha 1AT by ELISA, but it did reduce the amount detected by RID by about 30% in 2 fluids. In saliva, alpha 1AT concentrations of less than 1 microgram/ml were easily quantified. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluids have been extensively studied because of the important role of alpha 1AT in pulmonary inflammatory processes. We found concentrations of 1-3 micrograms/ml in most samples with our assay. These levels were comparable to those previously reported with assays that required up to 50-fold concentration of the fluid. Neither saliva nor bronchoalveolar fluid significantly interfered with detection by ELISA of added alpha 1AT. This modified double antibody sandwich ELISA may have broad applications for studies of the role of alpha 1AT in health and disease.

Body Fluids↗
PubMed1985

Prognostic uncertainty in terminal care: can the Karnofsky index help?

Members of a terminal care support team in a London health district recorded upper and lower estimates of prognosis on 42 patients during 149 visits. Just over half of the actual survivals were within the estimate limits, and the estimates tended to be overoptimistic. For the initial observations on each patient, a health status measure, the Karnofsky index, gave a closer correlation with the actual survival than the estimates. Better predictors of prognosis are needed by staff caring for terminally ill people.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed1984

Referral and survival of patients accepted by a terminal care support team.

The first year's work of Bloomsbury terminal care support team has been analysed from routinely recorded information. The patients accepted by the team were of younger average age than all people dying from cancer within the catchment population. The median survival of patients after first contact with the team was 49 days, but survival of patients referred by general practitioners and hospital general physicians was substantially shorter than of those referred by hospital oncologists and radiotherapists. The growing number of district terminal care services suggests the need for continued research to develop guidelines for referral of patients and methods of evaluating the team's work.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Radioimmunoassay of a glycoprotein associated with malignancy.

A glycoprotein associated with malignancy was purified from the 0.6M perchloric acid-soluble fraction of serum obtained from cancer patients. The purified glycoprotein contained sialic acid, which was responsible for binding to wheat-germ agglutinin-Sepharose. Gel electrophoresis showed one band with an apparent Mr of 50 000-55 000, and the isoelectric point was 4.4 +/- 0.1. The glycoprotein could be distinguished from carcinoembryonic antigen and alpha-fetoprotein. Iodination of this material with chloramine-T permitted development of a radioimmunoassay.

Glycoproteins↗
PubMed1983

Radioimmunoassay of a cancer-related glycoprotein. Circulating levels.

Circulating levels of (a) tumor-related glycoprotein(s) were determined by radioimmunoassay for a variety of patients and controls, and correlated with sialic acid concentration. Levels were highest in patients with metastatic disease and progressively declined to those with localized disease receiving therapy. Values for normal, adjuvant, and cured patients were significantly lower. Sialic acid concentrations correlated best for the metastatic group but not for the normals.

Female↗