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Biomedical subjects

P Holst

Publications and source records attributed to P Holst.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Intubation conditions after rocuronium or succinylcholine for rapid sequence induction with alfentanil and propofol in the emergency patient.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Previous studies mainly conducted on elective patients recommend doses of 0.9-1.2 mg kg[-1] rocuronium to obtain comparable intubation conditions with succinylcholine 1.0 mg kg[-1] after 60 s during a rapid-sequence induction. We decided to compare the overall intubating conditions of standard doses of rocuronium 0.6 mg kg[-1] and succinylcholine 1.0 mg kg[-1] during a strict rapid-sequence induction regimen including propofol and alfentanil. METHODS: Male and female patients (ASA I-III) older than 17 yr scheduled for emergency abdominal or gynaecological surgery and with increased risk of pulmonary aspiration of gastric content were randomized to a rapid-sequence induction with succinylcholine 1.0 mg kg[-1] or rocuronium 0.6 mg kg[-1]. Patients with a predicted difficult airway were excluded. A senior anaesthesiologist 'blinded' for the randomization performed the intubation 60 s after injection of the neuromuscular blocker. Intubating conditions were evaluated according to an established guideline. Tracheal intubation not completed within 30 s was recorded as failed. RESULTS: 222 patients were randomized. Three patients had their operation cancelled and 10 did not fulfil the inclusion criteria. Clinically acceptable intubation conditions were present in 93.5% and 96.1% of patients in the succinylcholine group (n=107) and the rocuronium group (n=102), respectively (P=0.59). CONCLUSIONS: During a rapid-sequence induction with alfentanil and propofol, both rocuronium 0.6 mg kg[-1] and succinylcholine 1.0 mg kg[-1] provide clinically acceptable intubation conditions in 60 s in patients scheduled for emergency surgery. Under the conditions of this rapid-sequence induction regimen rocuronium may be a substitute for succinylcholine.

Abdomen↗

ICP is lower during propofol anaesthesia compared to isoflurane and sevoflurane.

OBJECTIVES: Propofol is a cerebral vasoconstrictor while inhalation anaesthetics like isoflurane and sevoflurane act as cerebral vasodilators in both animal and human studies. This difference of action upon cerebral vessels might implicate a lower ICP during propofol anaesthesia. Cerebral metabolism is decreased by all three anaesthetics. In a prospective, randomised multicenter study ICP was compared during anaesthesia with propofol, isoflurane and sevoflurane. METHODS: 117 patients subjected to elective craniotomy for supratentorial tumour. Propofol: N = 41; isoflurane: N = 38; sevoflurane: N = 38. Nitrous oxide was omitted and all anaesthetics were supplemented with a continuous infusion of fentanyl. ICP was measured subdurally after removal of the bone flap. MABP, CPP, PCO2, AVDO2, rectal temperature, tumour size and midline shift were registered too. STATISTICS: Kruskal-Wallis Variance on Ranks. All values in medians with range. P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: ICP (mmHg): propofol 7 (-1-20), isoflurane 12 (1-29), sevoflurane 11 (2-32). ICP was significantly lower in the propofol group compared to the isofluane and sevoflurane groups. CPP (mmHg): propofol 80 (45-104), isoflurane 60 (32-84), sevoflurane 63 (44-77). CPP was significantly higher in the propofol group compared to the isoflurane and sevoflurane groups. AVDO2 (mmol/l): propofol 3.1 (0.9-5.1), isoflurane 2.5 (1.1-4.5), sevoflurane 2.6 (0.8-4.1). AVDO2 was significantly higher in the propofol group compared to the isoflurane and sevoflurane groups. No significant differences in PCO2, rectal temperature, tumour size and midline shift were found. CONCLUSIONS: Subdural ICP is significantly lower during propofol anaesthesia compared to isoflurane and sevoflurane anaesthesia. CPP and AVDO2 are significantly higher during propofol anaesthesia compared to isoflurane and sevoflurane anaesthesia.

Adult↗

Structure-function studies of an IGF-I analogue that can be chemically cleaved to a two-chain mini-IGF-I.

The structure and biological activities of two disulphide isomers of a C-region deletion mutant of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) which has an Asn--Gly link engineered at the junction of the A- and B-regions were studied before and after chemical cleavage. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra and binding affinity to IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) indicated that the treatment with hydroxylamine did not disrupt the overall tertiary fold of the hormones. Cleavage restored some binding affinity for the IGF-I receptor in both isomers and weakly restored the ability to stimulate incorporation of tritiated thymidine into DNA in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts transfected with the human IGF-I receptor. Cleavage also restored metabolic capacity, as measured by the ability of the isomers to promote lipogenesis in isolated rat adipocytes through the insulin receptor. These results are consistent with the theory that binding of IGF-I to the IGF-I receptor requires a conformational change similar to that involved in insulin binding the insulin receptor. The weak affinity for the IGF-I receptor after cleavage is consistent with the belief that residues in the C-region interact with the IGF-I receptor. This structural difference between insulin and IGF-I gives each a higher binding affinity for its own receptor.

3T3 Cells↗

Occupational health nursing with Navajo workers. Providing culturally competent care.

1. Native Americans in the southwestern United States are considered a "vulnerable population." Native Americans have economic difficulties, poor health, and little access to health care. The Navajo nation is the largest Native American reservation in the United States. 2. Occupational health nurses who provide culturally competent care increase the likelihood for Navajo workers to obtain optimal benefits from workplace health services. 3. The nurse uses cultural assessment skills and critical thinking abilities to maximize therapeutic interactions and minimize barriers in communications with workers of other cultural backgrounds. 4. The nurse who is knowledgeable about the Navajo way can help achieve a balance between the traditional ways and Western ways of addressing serious health care issues facing the Navajo worker. This knowledge and cultural awareness also increases the effectiveness of health promotion and health education programs offered to workers, their families, and their communities.

Cross-Cultural Comparison↗

[Treatment of the regional lymph nodes in squamous carcinoma of the penis].

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the management of the regional lymph nodes to determine the appropriate treatment for carcinoma of the penis. METHODS: The records of 36 patients with carcinoma of the penis were reviewed. Lymphadenectomy was performed in 18 patients, 17 were managed conservatively (watchful waiting) and 1 patient had a biopsy and received radiotherapy. RESULTS: Positive nodes were found in 2 of 2 pT4, 2 of 3 pT3, 8 of 13 pT2 and 2 of 12 pT1 patients submitted to lymphadenectomy. Concerning the histological grade, positive nodes were found in all of the 4 G3, 5 of 12 G2 and 3 of 20 G1 patients. The survival rate was 100% for the patients with negative lymph nodes (pNO = 6) or a single positive inguinal lymph node (pN1 = 5). A correlation was found between the T and the histological grade and the likelihood of lymph node invasion. CONCLUSIONS: The T and the histological grade of the primary lesion must be considered when deciding the approach in the management of the lymph nodes as unnecessary lymphadenectomy can be avoided and those at high risk of lymph node invasion can be treated radically and timely.

Adult↗

The importance of Arg40 and 45 in the mitogenic activity and structural stability of basic fibroblast growth factor: effects of acidic amino acid substitutions.

High-affinity binding of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to the tyrosine kinase receptor requires cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan or exogenous addition of heparin. The crystal structure of bFGF shows Arg40 and 45 on the surface opposite to the heparin-binding region, suggesting that these charged residues may be involved in the receptor binding. Therefore, these amino acids were mutated to aspartic acid separately or simultaneously, and also a simultaneous mutation to glutamic acid was introduced. These mutants displayed a mitogenic activity decreased greater than tenfold compared to the wild-type protein. Addition of heparin had no effect on the activity, while these mutants showed heparin-binding characteristics resembling those of the native sequence protein. The mutants exhibited decreased stability compared to the native sequence protein. Gradual changes in conformation were observed by circular dichroic and infrared spectroscopy. Heparin chromatography also showed the presence of denatured form for these mutants. However, in the presence of multivalent anions such as citrate, sucrose octasulfate, and heparin, the conformation of the mutants resembled that of the wild-type protein, as revealed by X-ray crystallography and circular dichroism spectra of the mutant with a Arg40-->Asp substitution.

3T3 Cells↗

Evidence for a terminal differentiation process in the rat liver.

In rapidly renewing epithelia, such as skin and gut, as well as hemopoietic cells and stromal fibroblasts, the process of progenitor cell maturation, terminal differentiation and senescence from cells of a fetal phenotype is strikingly similar. To examine hepatocellular maturation, we studied embryonic, suckling and young adult rat liver cells with multiparametric fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), after exclusion of hemopoietic, endothelial, Kupffer, and nonviable cells. With maturation, cell granularity and autofluorescence exponentially increased from fetal liver to suckling and adult liver as the proportion of S phase cells progressively declined from 33.8% +/- 1.3% to 4.9% +/- 2.8% and 1.1% +/- 0.6% (P < 0.05), respectively. In liver from fetal and suckling rats, all hepatocytes were mononuclear and contained diploid DNA whereas 21.2% +/- 5.9% hepatocytes in adult liver were binucleated. Analysis of nuclear DNA content in adult hepatocytes demonstrated that 53.3% +/- 3.9% of the nuclei were diploid, 43.6% +/- 3.5% tetraploid and 0.5 +/- 0.6% octaploid. However, in the adult liver, small, mononuclear cells were also present with granularity and autofluorescence comparable to fetal hepatoblasts, as well as glucose-6-phosphatase activity, diploid DNA in 89.0% +/- 2.1% of the nuclei, and with increased granularity in culture. Since general features of terminal cellularity differentiation and senescence include cessation of mitotic activity, polyploidy and accumulation of autofluorescent secondary lysosomes, our data suggest that liver cells too undergo a process of terminal differentiation.

Animals↗

Changes in neurotrophic factor expression and receptor activation following exposure of hippocampal neuron/astrocyte cocultures to kainic acid.

Neurotrophic factor expression in the adult mammalian CNS is largely neuronal. However, upon traumatic injury reactive astrocytes express a number of neurotrophic factors including ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and NGF. In this study, we examined whether the upregulation of neurotrophic factors in reactive astrocytes and cultured astrocytes is a consequence of separation from their neuronal counterparts, and whether neurotrophic factor levels can be regulated by placing astrocytes into coculture with neurons. We show that reintroduction of rat hippocampal neurons to rat hippocampal astrocytes in vitro leads to a time dependent downregulation in astrocytes of the neurotrophic factors CNTF, NGF, and neurotrophin 3 (NT-3). In contrast, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA, which is only expressed in neurons in these cultures is slightly increased. Once neurotrophic factor levels in cocultures had reached a steady state in the neuron/glia cocultures, we initiated a traumatic event with the excitotoxin kainic acid. BDNF protein was rapidly upregulated within 24 hr after lesion, whereas CNTF protein upregulation was delayed reaching maximal levels by 3 d. Despite the endogenous upregulation of both of these trophic factors, no activation of their respective receptors, as measured by tyrosine phosphorylation, was detectable following kainate administration. However, following addition of exogenous CNTF at any time point up to 24 hr after kainate administration, the beta components of the CNTF receptor (LIFR beta and gp130) could be phosphorylated. Furthermore, although activation of neuronal LIFR beta and gp130 by exogenous CNTF declined during the period of neuronal death, these receptors reappeared on astrocytes and could be activated by CNTF. In contrast, phosphorylation of TrkB by exogenous BDNF was undetectable by 24 hr and could not be reactivated after this point. These data suggest that the intimate association of astrocytes and neurons in the CNS serves to suppress astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor expression and that neuronal loss leads to a derepression of neurotrophic factor synthesis in astrocytes. However, the upregulation of endogenous BDNF and CNTF observed after excitotoxic lesion in this culture model are insufficient to activate signal transduction and protect against neuronal loss.

Animals↗

Speed and flexibility on word fluency tasks after focal brain lesions.

It was predicted that frontal lobe damaged patients are slower on word fluency tasks, especially on the generation of words beginning with a particular letter, and less flexible ("stuck-inset") on category alternation than patients with posterior lesions, whereas the latter commit a higher number of repetitions ("recurrent perseverations") than the former. Twenty-nine anterior and 31 posterior brain damaged patients were requested to say as quickly as possible (1) 20 animal names, (2) 10 words beginning with the letter S, and (3) alternately animals and S-words, 10 from each category without repeating the words already used in these tasks. The results failed to confirm the predictions.

Adult↗

Prediction of psychosocial recovery after head injury with cognitive tests and neurobehavioral ratings.

A series of 53 patients was studied using a battery of tests and a neurobehavioral rating scale on average 4 months after closed-head injury (CHI). Social outcome was assessed 1 year after injury by interviewing a family member. The results supported the hypothesis that tests of flexibility and programming rather than tests of cognitive skills predict psychosocial recovery after CHI. Spatial Learning with Self-Set Goals and Sorting were measures of flexibility and programming. Contrary to expectation, word fluency performance was unrelated to these measures, but was associated with conventional intelligence tests, which did not predict psychosocial recovery. Cognition/Energy deficit on the Neurobehavioral Rating Scale and increased age were useful predictors of poor psychosocial outcome, whereas computed tomography findings or the Glasgow Coma Score were weakly related to the outcome indices. Evidently, cognitive flexibility and mental programming are very important psychological prerequisites of social recovery after CHI.

Adolescent↗

Subcutaneously versus subfascially administered lidocaine in pain treatment after inguinal herniotomy.

We conducted a randomized, prospective, double-blind trial to compare the efficacy of subfascial (SF) versus subcutaneous (SC) lidocaine (10 mL 1%) given in the wound postoperatively through a catheter placed in the respective layer intraoperatively. The initial pain scores were similar in the two groups before injection of lidocaine. In the SC group, there was a reduction in pain scores during rest from 4 to 3 (P > 0.05), during cough from 6 to 5 (P > 0.05), and during mobilization from 7 to 5.5 (P > 0.05) at 15 min. In the SF group, the reductions in pain scores were from 4 to 2 (P < 0.05), from 6 to 3 (P < 0.05), and from 7 to 3 (P < 0.05), respectively. Supplemental analgesics after the lidocaine administration were needed earlier in the SC group than in the SF group (P < 0.01). We conclude that postoperative pain treatment with local lidocaine application after herniotomy has a better effect when applied in the SF, rather than the SC, layer.

Adult↗

Role of native disulfide bonds in the structure and activity of insulin-like growth factor 1: genetic models of protein-folding intermediates.

Insulin and insulin-related proteins contain three motif-specific disulfide bonds. Here we examine the role of these disulfide bonds in the folding and function of one family member, human insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Analogues containing pariwise Cys-->Ser or Cys-->Ala substitutions were expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, and analyzed with respect to receptor-binding, solution structure, and thermodynamic stability. An analogue lacking all three disulfide bonds (designated des-Cys-IGF-1) is inactive and unfolded. Introduction of the [18-61] disulfide bond, previously shown to occur in an early intermediate in oxidative refolding [Miller, J. A., Owers-Narhi, L., Hua, Q. X., Rosenfeld, R., Arakawa, T., Rohde, M., Prestrelski, S., Lauren, S., S. Stoney, K. S., Tsai, L., & Weiss, M. A. (1993) Biochemistry (preceding paper in this issue)], results in a compact partially folded state with low but significant biological activity. Additional but incomplete structural organization and biological activity are observed following introduction of either the [6-48] or the [47-52] disulfide bonds. Native function, structure, and stability require the presence of all three disulfide bonds. These analogues provide genetic models of IGF-1 protein-folding intermediates. Their characterization suggests that bifurcation of the IGF-1 folding pathway reflects alternative late steps in the folding of a molten-globule intermediate.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Hepatic progenitor populations in embryonic, neonatal, and adult liver.

Oval cells, small cells with oval-shaped nuclei, are induced to proliferate in the livers of animals treated with carcinogens and are thought to be related to liver stem cells and/or committed liver progenitor cell populations. We have developed protocols for identifying and isolating antigenically related cell populations present in normal tissues using monoclonal antibodies to oval cell antigens and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. We have isolated oval cell-antigen-positive (OCAP) cells from embryonic, neonatal, and adult rat livers and have identified culture conditions permitting their growth in culture. The requirements for growth of the OCAP cells included substrata of type IV collagen mixed with laminin, basal medium with complex lipids and low calcium, specific growth factors (most potently, insulin-like growth factor II and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor), and co-cultures of embryonic, liver-specific stroma, strongly suggesting paracrine signaling between hepatic and hemopoietic precursor cells. The growing OCAP cultures proved to be uniformly expressing oval cell markers but were nevertheless a mixture of hepatic and hemopoietic precursor cells. To separate the hepatic and hemopoietic subpopulations of OCAP cells, we surveyed known antibodies and found ones that uniquely identify either hepatic or hemopoietic cells. Several of these antibodies were used in panning procedures and fluorescence-activated cell sorting to eliminate contaminant cell populations, particularly hemopoietic and endothelial cells. Using specific flow cytometric parameters, three cellular subpopulations could be isolated separately that were identified by immunochemistry and molecular hybridization assays as probable: (i) committed progenitors to hepatocytes; (ii) committed progenitors to bile ducts; or (iii) a mixed population of hemopoietic cells that contained a small percentage of hepatic blasts that are possibly pluripotent. The hepatic precursor cells have been characterized using immunochemistry, flow cytometry, and molecular hybridization assays. The hepatic blasts are small (7-10 microns) cells with high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratios and with minimal complexity of the cytoplasm. Cultures of the committed progenitors were found to differentiate into cells with recognizable parenchymal cell fates. We discuss our studies in the context of our model of the liver as stem cell and lineage system and suggest that a slow, unidirectional, terminal differentiation process, paralleling more rapid ones in the skin or gut, occurs at all times in the liver and is thought to vary primarily in kinetics during quiescent versus regenerative states.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Comparison of nedocromil sodium at two dosage frequencies with placebo in the management of chronic asthma.

Nedocromil sodium (4 mg b.d. or q.i.d.) was added to the therapy of 76 chronic asthmatic patients in a four-centre, double-blind cross-over, placebo-controlled trial. Patients had troublesome symptoms uncontrolled by high doses of inhaled corticosteroids (mean 1450 micrograms). In 54 patients who completed the study, nedocromil sodium was significantly more efficacious than placebo (P < 0.01) in relieving morning chest-tightness and cough, in reducing total diary card score and nocturnal bronchodilator usage, and in increasing morning and evening peak flow. Asthma severity at clinic visits decreased significantly (P = 0.001) following treatment with nedocromil sodium, which was globally rated more effective than placebo (P < 0.01). Treatment differences favored q.i.d. over b.d. dosage but without statistical significance. There were no serious adverse effects. Although the pulmonary function changes were small, these findings suggest that the addition of nedocromil sodium may benefit asthmatic patients who are inadequately controlled by high doses of inhaled corticosteroids.

Adolescent↗

Cognitive test performances related to early and late computed tomography findings after closed-head injury.

Computed tomography (CT) findings from early (less than 24 hours) and late scan (6 months) after closed-head injury (CHI) were compared to cognitive test scores obtained on an average of 4 months after injury in a consecutive series of 53 patients. The presence of parenchymal lesion was associated with poor test results, indicating cognitive inflexibility and disinhibition of routine response tendencies in novel tasks. These deficits have previously been found to be related in particular to frontal-lobe dysfunction, but the present study did not support the hypothesis that frontal lesion is the principal cause of this impairment in CHI. Parenchymal lesions in the right and left hemisphere were associated with spatial and verbal deficits, respectively. Ventricular enlargement in the late CT was related to cognitive inefficiency, both being strongly associated with age. The results suggest that parenchymal lesion in the early CT is an indicator of diffuse axonal injury, which results in cognitive inflexibility during recovery.

Adolescent↗

Effects of lidocaine aerosol on postoperative pain and wound tenderness following minor gynaecological laparotomy.

Twenty-four female patients undergoing sterilization through a minor lower laparotomy received, in a double-blind, randomized study, either lidocaine spray 200 mg or placebo in the surgical wound. Postoperative pain intensity was evaluated on a verbal and a visual analogue scale and wound tenderness with an algometer. During mobilisation from the supine to the sitting position, VAS-score was lower (P less than 0.05) in the lidocaine group 2 h postoperatively, but not 4, 6 and 8 h postoperatively (P greater than 0.05). No significant differences were found in VAS-scores at rest or during cough, or in verbal scale ratings during rest, cough or mobilisation, and postoperative consumption of morphine was similar in the two groups. Pressure pain thresholds were higher (P less than 0.05) 2 h postoperatively in the lidocaine group, but not 4, 6 and 8 h postoperatively. In conclusion, topically applied lidocaine aerosol in the surgical wound leads to very short and clinically insignificant relief of postoperative pain.

Aerosols↗

Mental programming after frontal lobe lesions: results on digit symbol performance with self-selected goals.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate that the inability to set adequate sub-goals in a cognitive task is a sensitive indicator of programming deficit after frontal lobe lesion. Sixty-one patients with focal cerebral lesions and 25 control subjects were studied with a modified Digit Symbol task, in which the score depended on the adequacy of the sub-goals set by the subject. This score was compared to that on the standard condition, in which the subject was requested to work as quickly as possible without self-selected goals. The results confirmed the prediction that patients with anterior lesions set less adequate sub-goals than patients with posterior lesions and, unlike the latter patients, have a more pronounced deficit on the performance with self-selected goals than on the standard condition. In particular patients with left frontal lobe lesions underestimated their capabilities in relation to task requirements.

Adult↗