Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P Rock

Publications and source records attributed to P Rock.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Persistence at low temperature of the P beta' ripple in dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine multilamellar vesicles containing either glycosphingolipids or cholesterol.

The disappearance and reappearance of the P beta' ripple in multilamellar liposomes of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) has been examined by freeze-etch electron microscopy. The presence of less than 10 mol% of various glycosphingolipids or cholesterol in the liposomes markedly increases the time required for ripple disappearance when the vesicles are cooled from 38 degrees C to 30 degrees C, as compared to the pure phospholipid. Once the ripples have begun to disappear in the two-component vesicles, they do not uniformly reappear until the system is heated above the main transition of DPPC and allowed to cool into the pretransition region. These results suggest that the long time for ripple disappearance in the two-component systems reflects a slow molecular reorganization process which occurs when the systems are forced to change from the P beta' gel to the L beta' gel by a temperature downshift.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗

Operation Everest II: alterations in the immune system at high altitudes.

We investigated the effects on immune function after progressive hypobaric hypoxia simulating an ascent to 25,000 ft (7620 m) over 4 weeks. Multiple simultaneous in vitro and in vivo immunologic variables were obtained from subjects at sea level, 7500 ft (2286 m), and 25,000 ft during a decompression chamber exposure. Phytohemagglutinin-stimulated thymidine uptake and protein synthesis in mononuclear cells were reduced at extreme altitudes. Mononuclear-cell subset analysis by flow cytometry disclosed an increase in monocytes without changes in B cells or T-cell subsets. Plasma IgM and IgA but not IgG levels were increased at altitudes, whereas pokeweed mitogen-stimulated in vitro IgG, IgA, and IgM secretion was unchanged. During exposure to 25,000 ft, in vitro phytohemagglutinin-stimulated interferon production and natural killer-cell cytotoxicity did not change statistically, but larger intersubject differences occurred. IgA and lysozyme levels (nasal wash) and serum antibodies to nuclear antigens were not influenced by altitude exposure. These results suggest that T-cell activation is blunted during exposure to severe hypoxemia, whereas B-cell function and mucosal immunity are not. Although the mechanism of altered in vitro immune responsiveness after exposure to various environmental stressors has not been elucidated in humans, hypoxia may induce alterations in immune regulation as suggested by in vitro immune assays of effector-cell function.

Adult↗

Effects of arterial ligation and embolization on pulmonary vascular pressure distribution.

The effects of embolization on the longitudinal distribution of pulmonary vascular pressures with respect to vascular compliance were determined by the vascular inflow and outflow occlusion technique in isolated blood-perfused pig lungs treated with papaverine to prevent vasomotor responses. Embolization with microspheres having mean diameters of 75, 200, and 550 microns and with barrier beads (2 X 3 X 3.5 mm) significantly increased the pressure gradient across the relatively compliant middle region (delta Pm) without increasing the gradients across the relatively noncompliant regions on the arterial (delta Pa) or venous (delta Pv) ends of the vasculature. In contrast ligation of several lobar arteries caused delta Pa to increase from 0.9 +/- 0.3 to 5.9 +/- 1.1 mmHg but did not change delta Pm or delta Pv. Assuming that delta Pa and delta Pv measured by vascular occlusion result from cessation of flow through resistances, these data suggest that in isolated pig lungs the vessels at the boundary between the arterial and middle regions defined by the occlusion technique are arteries greater than 2-3 mm diam and smaller than lobar arteries.

Animals↗

Operation Everest II: Altitude decompression sickness during repeated altitude exposure.

The incidence of altitude decompression sickness (ADS) was studied in 23 altitude scientists during repeated altitude exposure to 15,000-29,000 ft (4572-8839 m) in a decompression chamber. Prior to each altitude exposure, a 30-60-mm pre-breathing period with 100% oxygen took place. Ascent was made to an altitude at a rate of 2000 ft X min-1. The altitudes studied ranged from 15,000-29,000 ft (4572-8839 m). Symptoms reported appear consistent with previous reports. Incidence of ADS at 26,000-29,000 ft (7925-8839 m) was 29.7%, during 274 chamber flights and 1264.6 h of altitude time. Incidence appeared related to frequency of exposure, severity of altitude, and physical activity. Incidence was not related to age, duration of exposure, or body index (weight/height 2). This high incidence of ADS reported in this study is similar to that reported by NASA.

Adult↗

The effect of naproxen on acute mountain sickness and vascular responses to hypoxia.

The role of prostaglandins in the pathogenesis of acute mountain sickness and two hypoxia-induced vascular responses was evaluated using the cyclooxygenase inhibitor naproxen. Eleven men spent 24 hours at sea level, followed by 34 hours of decompression to 428 mm Hg while receiving naproxen (N), 250 mg twice daily or placebo (P) in a double-blind crossover trial. Serum naproxen levels measured by high pressure liquid chromatography were not changed by hypoxia. The severity of acute mountain sickness (AMS) by the Environmental Symptom Questionnaire scores and observer assessment were unaffected by drug treatment. Retinal artery diameter measured from projected fundus photographs was increased after 27 hours at altitude (11.4 +/- .5 mm) vs. sea level (9.4 +/- .5 mm, p less than 0.05) during both trials. Upright mean arterial pressure fell after 6 hours at altitude (79 +/- 3 mm Hg during N and P vs. 92 +/- 3 at sea level, p less than 0.01). Minute ventilation, end expiratory alveolar PO2 and PCO2 did not differ between drug trials. This study suggests vasodilating prostaglandins do not have a major role in the genesis of AMS, hypoxia-induced retinal vasodilatation, or postural blood pressure responses in man.

Acute Disease↗

Efficacy and safety of naloxone in septic shock.

We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of iv naloxone in 12 septic patients who remained hypotensive despite volume replacement, appropriate antibiotics, and vasopressor therapy. Only four patients responded positively to naloxone, by increases in mean arterial pressure of between 10 to 15 mm Hg that lasted for 15 to 60 min. These patients could not be distinguished from the others on the basis of underlying illness, laboratory or physical findings, length of preceding hypotension, or glucocorticoid therapy. Four patients had adverse reactions: one developed pulmonary edema, one patient had a grand-mal seizure, and two patients became severely hypotensive. We conclude that in patients with well-established septic shock, naloxone does not reliably improve mean arterial pressure or other physiologic variables, and may cause severe adverse reactions.

Aged↗

Effects of imidazole and indomethacin on fluid balance in isolated sheep lungs.

We determined the effects of extracorporeal perfusion with a constant flow (75 ml . min-1 . kg-1) of autologous blood on hemodynamics and fluid balance in sheep lungs isolated in situ. After 5 min, perfusate leukocyte and platelet counts fell by two-thirds. Pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) increased to a maximum of 32.0 +/- 3.4 Torr at 30 min and thereafter fell. Lung lymph flow (QL), measured from the superior thoracic duct, and perfusate thromboxane B2 (TXB2) concentrations followed similar time courses but lagged behind Ppa, reaching maxima of 4.1 +/- 1.2 ml/h and 2.22 +/- 0.02 ng/ml at 60 min. Lung weight gain, measured as the opposite of the weight change of the extracorporeal reservoir, and perfusate 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) concentration increased rapidly during the first 60 min and then more gradually. After 210 min, weight gain was 224 +/- 40 g and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha concentration, 4.99 +/- 0.01 ng/ml. The ratio of lymph to plasma oncotic pressure (pi L/pi P) at 30 min was 0.61 +/- 0.06 and did not change significantly. Imidazole (5 mM) reduced the changes in TXB2, Ppa, QL, and weight and platelet count but did not alter 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, pi L/pi P, or leukocyte count. Indomethacin (0.056 mM) reduced TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, and the early increases in weight, Ppa, and QL but did not alter the time courses of leukocyte or platelet counts. Late in perfusion, however, Ppa and QL were greater than in either untreated or imidazole-treated lungs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Nature and distribution of vascular resistance in hypoxic pig lungs.

We used the vascular occlusion technique in pig lungs isolated in situ to describe the effects of hypoxia on the distribution of vascular resistance and to determine whether the resistive elements defined by this technique behaved as ohmic or Starling resistors during changes in flow at constant outflow pressure, changes in outflow pressure at constant flow, and reversal of flow. During normoxia, the largest pressure gradient occurred across the middle compliant region of the vasculature (delta Pm). The major effect of hypoxia was to increase delta Pm and the gradient across the relatively noncompliant arterial region (delta Pa). The gradient across the noncompliant venous region (delta Pv) changed only slightly, if at all. Both delta Pa and delta Pv increased with flow but delta Pm decreased. The pressure at the arterial end of the middle region was independent of flow and, when outflow pressure was increased, did not increase until the outflow pressure of the middle region exceeded 8.9 Torr during normoxia and 18.8 Torr during hypoxia. Backward perfusion increased the total pressure gradient across the lung, mainly because of an increase in delta Pm. These results can be explained by a model in which the arterial and venous regions are represented by ohmic resistors and the middle region is represented by a Starling resistor in series and proximal to an ohmic resistor. In terms of this model, hypoxia exerted its major effects by increasing the critical pressure provided by the Starling resistor of the middle region and the ohmic resistance of the arterial region.

Analysis of Variance↗

Perioperative rate-related silent myocardial ischemia and postoperative death.

A case is presented that demonstrates heart rate (HR)--related silent myocardial ischemia occurring preoperatively, subsiding intraoperatively, then recurring and leading to a post-operative cardiac death in a patient undergoing peripheral vascular surgery. This case illustrates that patients may have an ischemic threshold for HR whereby recurrent depression of the ST segment may occur during increase of HR to rates as low as 80 to 85 beats per minute (bpm), even in the absence of acute blood pressure (BP) changes. Myocardial ischemia may be HR related; however, the authors are not aware of a case that demonstrates repeated episodes of rate-related ischemia occurring at HRs well below the 100 bpm traditional definition of tachycardia. The authors conclude that patients at risk for perioperative myocardial ischemia should be identified and the hemodynamic management of these patients should include control of HR. This implies control of the physiologic variables that influence HR, along with the use of beta-adrenergic blockers. This case also demonstrates the value of Holter monitoring for ischemia, which, when done preoperatively, can detect patients at risk for unfavorable cardiac outcomes. Ischemia monitoring also may be useful during the intraoperative and postoperative periods, a time when ischemia is often silent and undetected. The early recognition of ischemia would allow for anti-ischemic interventions, which could decrease the morbidity and mortality of patients at risk for perioperative cardiac complications.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

Anesthetic management of a morbidly obese woman with a massive ovarian cyst.

Morbid obesity affects 3% to 5% of the U.S. population and poses challenging problems to the anesthesiologist during the perioperative period. We present a unique case of the management of a morbidly obese woman complicated by a massive ovarian cyst. The major cardiopulmonary, metabolic, and technical features special to this patient population are discussed.

Anesthesia, Intravenous↗

A practical introduction to fixed appliances. The straightwire appliance. 1: Design principles.

The straightwire appliance, by the refinements of its design, has revolutionized fixed-appliance orthodontics. Treatment is facilitated by the use of many preformed components and the use of unsightly and troublesome auxiliary springs is largely removed. However, the straightwire appliance is a precision instrument and must be used precisely, or the results of treatment will be seriously compromised. This is the first of two articles, in which the design principles and clinical management of the straightwire appliance (in one dental arch only) will be considered.

Humans↗