Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R E Clark

Publications and source records attributed to R E Clark.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Prevention of ischemia-reperfusion injury by the allergy drug lodoxamide tromethamine.

Lodoxamide tromethamine, an orphan antiallergy drug, inhibits degranulation of mast cells that reside in the myocardium and inhibits xanthine oxidase located in myocytes and predominantly in the vascular endothelium. The hypothesis evaluated was that lodoxamide tromethamine would attenuate oxygen free radical damage. Isolated working rat hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 0, 1, 10, 100, or 1,000 mumol/L lodoxamide tromethamine at 37 degrees and 24 degrees C with ischemic times of 22 and 93 minutes, respectively. These ischemic intervals yielded 50% survival and 50% return of function in untreated hearts. Lodoxamide treatment alone at the onset of reperfusion was also studied. Performance end points were aortic flow, pressure, and coronary flow. Biochemical analyses included serotonin collected from coronary effluent as a marker of mast cell degranulation, uric acid for xanthine oxidase inhibition, myocardial adenosine triphosphate, and carbonyl group concentrations. Performance data demonstrated that lodoxamide was beneficial in a log-linear dose response when given continuously at both temperatures. Percent of preischemic values for untreated and maximal responses at 1,000 mumol/L of lodoxamide were as follows: a mortality of 50% in nontreated hearts versus 0%; aortic flow, 47% to 94% (37 degrees C), 46% to 86% (24 degrees C); cardiac output, 60% to 98% (37 degrees C), 58% to 97% (24 degrees C); adenosine triphosphate, 59% to 90% (37 degrees C), 48% to 65% (24 degrees C). Serotonin was undetectable from any hearts. Uric acid concentrations and carbonyl group content did not change with increasing dose. Lodoxamide demonstrated no benefit when given only during reperfusion, suggesting injury occurred at times other than reperfusion.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Cardiopulmonary bypass and thyroid function: a "euthyroid sick syndrome".

The purpose of this prospective study was to define the effect of cardiopulmonary bypass on the concentrations of thyroid hormones and metabolites. Blood samples were obtained from 14 patients preoperatively, at specific times throughout cardiopulmonary bypass, and serially to 24 hours postoperatively. Thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroid-binding globulin, total thyroxine, triiodothyronine (T3), and reverse T3, an inactive metabolite of thyroxine, were measured by radioimmunoassay. Free T3 was assayed by equilibrium dialysis. Values of total T3 and free T3, the active hormone, were significantly depressed (75% and 50%, respectively) up to 24 hours after bypass (p less than 0.05). Reverse T3 demonstrated a greater than fourfold rise at 8 and 24 hours postoperatively (p less than 0.05). Thyroid-binding globulin was decreased at all sampling times (p less than 0.05). Thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxine, and free thyroxine levels remained within normal ranges at all sampling times. These results indicate that cardiopulmonary bypass simulates the "euthyroid sick syndrome" as seen in severely burned patients and critically ill patients, which is characterized by depression of T3 and free T3 concentrations with a concomitant increase in reverse T3 levels and normal concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxine, and free thyroxine. The hemodynamic effects of primary hypothyroidism are well established. These data provide further support for investigational trials of intravenous administration of T3 in the prevention or treatment of low cardiac output syndrome after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass↗

Errors in pressure gradient measurement by continuous wave Doppler ultrasound: type, size and age effects in bioprosthetic aortic valves.

The accuracy of continuous wave Doppler ultrasound in deriving pressure gradients across bioprosthetic heart valves was evaluated in an in vitro pulse duplicator. Simultaneous pressure transducer and Doppler measurements were made in new and explanted aortic bioprosthetic valves of several sizes and four types: Carpentier-Edwards, Ionescu-Shiley, Hancock standard and Hancock modified. The mean and peak gradients calculated by the modified Bernoulli equation from Doppler velocity measurements were always greater than those measured manometrically, despite corrections for location dependence of the manometric gradient (or pressure recovery). The relation between manometric and ultrasonically determined gradient was found to be statistically dependent on the valve type (mean gradient p less than 0.0001; peak gradient p = 0.0003) and size (mean gradient p = 0.0089; peak gradient p = 0.0107). Effects of implantation were observed, but were not shown to be significant. It is concluded that the continuous wave Doppler velocity data overestimated prosthetic valve pressure gradient in all cases, even when pressure recovery was taken into account. Clinicians should be wary of Doppler data when making major diagnostic or therapeutic decisions.

Aortic Valve↗

Quantitative description of the shape of the mandible.

The purpose of this study was to provide quantitative data on the shape of the mandible at the period around the pubertal growth spurt and to test the hypothesis that early mandibular shape may influence the amount and direction of subsequent mandibular growth. Longitudinal data from lateral cephalograms of 55 white female and 39 white male subjects were used. The mandibular outline from articulare to gnathion was analyzed into cosine curves, according to the Fourier equation. The resulting Fourier coefficients, representing mandibular outline shape, were analyzed statistically in relation to age, sex, craniofacial pattern, and mandibular growth rotation. Statistically significant growth changes of the Fourier coefficients were observed, especially during the postpubertal period, indicating a decrease in the gonial angle with age. Sex-related differences in shape were observed at all ages, male subjects showing a more rounded shape of the mandible than female subjects. Mandibular shape, as represented by the Fourier coefficients, was correlated to cephalometric variables, indicating mandibular inclination, but only poorly to cephalometric variables, indicating anteroposterior jaw relation. Total rotation of the mandible during growth could not be predicted by mandibular shape.

Cephalometry↗

Low-flow hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass protects the brain.

Cerebral protection during surgical procedures necessitating circulatory arrest or low flow remains the factor that most limits the critical time for repair of lesions. In vivo phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to assess the metabolic state of the brain during circulatory arrest by measuring the concentration of high-energy phosphate compounds and the intracellular pH. The degree of cerebral protection during deep hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass at low flow rates was compared with that obtained with a period of circulatory arrest interrupted by intermittent systemic perfusion. Sheep were instrumented with cannulas for cardiopulmonary bypass, and a radiofrequency coil was positioned on the skull. Animals were placed in the bore of a 4.7 Tesla magnet, cooled with the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass to 15 degrees C, and had either circulatory arrest (n = 5) or continuous low flow rates of 5 ml/kg/min (n = 6) or 10 ml/kg/min (n = 7) for 2 hours. A fourth group (n = 5) underwent 1 hour of circulatory arrest, systemic reperfusion for 30 minutes, then another hour of circulatory arrest. Both circulatory arrest and a flow rate of 5 ml/kg/min resulted in severe intracellular acidosis and depletion of high-energy phosphates. A flow of 10 ml/kg/min preserved high-energy phosphates and intracellular pH. Therefore deep hypothermia with cardiopulmonary bypass flows as low as 10 ml/kg/min can maintain brain high-energy phosphate concentrations and intracellular pH for 2 hours in sheep, whereas flows of 5 ml/kg/min or intermittent full-flow systemic perfusion between periods of circulatory arrest offers less protection. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that improvement in nuclear magnetic resonance parameters positively correlates with improved survival and preservation of neurologic function.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

IL2-PE664Glu, a new chimeric protein cytotoxic to human-activated T lymphocytes.

To produce a molecule that will kill activated T cells as well as lymphomas and leukemias expressing interleukin 2 (IL2) receptors, we have created a recombinant chimeric protein in which IL2 is attached in peptide linkage to a truncated mutant form of Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE) (Lorberboum-Galski, H., FitzGerald, D.J.P., Chandhary, V.K., Adhya, S., and Pastan, I. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85, 1922-1926). Although this molecule was very active on rodent cells, it had lower activity on some human cell types. A new chimeric protein termed IL2-PE664Glu has been constructed that is extremely toxic to both phytohemagglutinin blasts and mixed leukocyte reaction blasts prepared from monkey and human lymphocytes. The chimeric gene encoding this protein was constructed by fusing a cDNA clone for human interleukin 2 to the 5' end of a mutated cDNA encoding a full-length PE molecule. Four amino acids in domain I of PE were changed thus decreasing its nonspecific toxicity. IL2-PE664Glu is a much more active cytotoxic molecule for primate and human-activated T cells than IL2-PE40 which is a chimeric protein that was found to be an effective immunosuppressive agent in rodent models. Our results indicate that IL2-PE664Glu should be evaluated as an immunosuppressive agent for the treatment of human immune disorders in which activated T cells expressing the IL2 receptor are prominent.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Late results of aortic valvotomy for congenital valvar aortic stenosis.

Fifty-one patients, aged 1 to 18 years, having aortic valvotomy for congenital valvar aortic stenosis between 1956 and 1986 were followed up. The average age at operation was 11.5 years, with an operative mortality of 3.9%. The aortic valve gradient decreased from a mean preoperative value of 91 mm Hg to 27 mm Hg postoperatively. Current follow-up was 90% and averaged 16.8 years. Late cardiac mortality was 17.6%, with actuarial survival of 93.7% at 10 and 15 years, 81.8% at 20 and 25 years, and 70.9% at 28 years. Nineteen patients required reoperation (39%) at a mean of 17.7 years postoperatively, with a reoperation-free survival of 98% at 10 years. The reoperation rate accelerated in the following decade to 3.3% per year. Ten patients without reoperation were evaluated by continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography. The mean gradient was 21.6 mm Hg, and 90% had mild to moderate aortic insufficiency. This study confirms the efficacy of valvotomy in this age group and suggests that long-term survival and time to reoperation may be longer than previously reported.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Prostaglandin E2 inhibits in vitro and in vivo lymphocyte responses in allogeneic transplantation.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has been shown to a clear role in the suppression of immune responses after burn and trauma injury. This probably results from inhibition of interleukin-2 production. This study examined the effects of PGE2 in vivo on the survival of solid-organ allografts and in vitro on the rat allogeneic mixed lymphocyte response. Administration of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (DMPGE2), a stable analogue of PGE2, significantly prolonged the survival of heterotopic cardiac allografts from ACI to LBN rats: 10.4 +/- 1.7 days versus 5.7 +/- 1.1 days (mean +/- standard error of the mean) (p less than or equal to 0.001). In 1 animal, DMPGE2 apparently led to the induction of long-term tolerance. Mixed lymphocyte cultures using splenocytes from naive LBN and ACI rats to which DMPGE2 was added showed a dose-dependent suppression of the mixed lymphocyte response with concentrations as low as 1 x 10(-7) mol/L. Splenocytes harvested from treated animals with functioning but histologically rejecting hearts demonstrated a marked decrease in mixed lymphocyte response to donor (ACI) stimulators compared with naive LBN controls (3,804 +/- 603 versus 27,395 +/- 2,668 cpm, n = 4), but maintained a normal response to third-party (Wistar Furth) stimulators. We conclude that DMPGE2 suppressed solid-organ allograft rejection, inhibited the allogeneic mixed lymphocyte response, and induced donor-specific in vitro hyporesponsiveness.

16,16-Dimethylprostaglandin E2↗

Dermatitis herpetiformis in two American blacks: HLA type and clinical characteristics.

Dermatitis herpetiformis is a rare blistering skin disease characterized in part by granular IgA deposits at the dermoepidermal junction, an associated gluten-sensitive enteropathy, and a strong association with the human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A1 (74% of patients with dermatitis herpetiformis), -B8 (88%), -DR3 (95%), and -DQw2 (100%). Dermatitis herpetiformis is rarely seen in American blacks and some investigators have postulated that this finding may be due to the decreased frequency of HLA-A1 and -B8 in American blacks compared with Caucasians (American blacks: HLA-A1 = 15.3%, HLA-B8 = 10.7%; Caucasian: HLA-A1 = 26.4%, HLA-B8 = 18.3%). This report describes two American blacks with dermatitis herpetiformis and reports the results of HLA typing of these subjects for HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR, and -DQ antigens. HLA typing revealed that neither patient expressed HLA-A1 or -B8; however, both patients did express the class II antigens most frequently seen in dermatitis herpetiformis, HLA-DR3 and -DQw2. Comparison of HLA class II antigen frequency in normal American blacks and Caucasians reveals a similar frequency of HLA-DR3 and -DQw2 (American blacks: HLA-DR3 = 27.6%, HLA-DQw2 = 40.9%; Caucasian: HLA-DR3 = 22.6%, HLA-DQw2 = 32.9%). These data confirm the importance of the HLA class II region in the pathogenesis of dermatitis herpetiformis. In addition, these data suggest that the rare occurrence of dermatitis herpetiformis in American blacks is not due to the decreased frequency of the HLA class I antigens -A1 and/or -B8 but rather is related to differences in the HLA class II region not detected by routine HLA typing.

Biopsy↗

Use of yttrium-90-labeled anti-Tac antibody in primate xenograft transplantation.

The high-affinity interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) is expressed by T cells activated in response to foreign histocompatibility antigens but not by normal resting cells. Thus, blockade of the interaction of IL-2 with its receptor could achieve selective immunosuppression. Accordingly, anti-Tac, a murine IgG2a class monoclonal antibody specific to the IL-2R, was used alone or in a chelated form with yttrium-90 (90Y), a pure beta emitter, to inhibit rejection of cardiac xenografts from Macaca fascicularis (cynomolgus) donors transplanted to the cervical or abdominal region of Macaca mulatta (rhesus) recipients (n = 20). Animals received no immunosuppression (n = 3, group I, controls), unmodified anti-Tac (n = 5, 2 mg/kg q.o.d., group II), or 90Y-anti-Tac (n = 5, 16 mCi, group III). To distinguish the nonspecific immunosuppressive effect of radiation, 90Y was administered bound to UPC-10 (n = 4, 16 mCi, group IV), another murine monoclonal antibody that does not specifically recognize activated immunoresponsive cells. All immunosuppression was administered in divided doses during the first 2 weeks posttransplant. Group I animals rejected their grafts at 6.7 +/- 1 days and demonstrated a rise in soluble IL-2R levels at the time of rejection, indicating the generation of Tac-expressing and -releasing cells. Graft survival in group II was not prolonged compared with controls (mean survival 6.2 +/- 1 days; P greater than 0.05). In contrast, graft survival in animals that received the designed dosage of 90Y-anti-Tac was significantly prolonged to an average of 38.4 +/- 5 days compared with groups I and II (P less than 0.005 and P les sthan 0.0005, respectively). Prolongation of graft survival occurred in animals that received 90Y-UPC-10 (mean survival 21.3 +/- 5 days, P less than 0.05 versus group I, P less than 0.01 versus group II). However, 90Y-UPC-10 was significantly less effective in prolonging graft survival than 90Y-anti-Tac, in which one-half the per-kilogram dosage of radioactivity was delivered in specific fashion via anti-Tac (P less than 0.025). Reversible nonlethal bone marrow suppression occurred without associated nephro- or hepatotoxicity, and virtually all animals developed antibodies to the murine monoclonal. Thus, the approach used in the present study, IL-2R-directed therapy with 90Y-anti-Tac, may have potential applications in organ transplantation and in the treatment of Tac-expressing neoplastic diseases.

Animals↗

RAS mutations in patients following cytotoxic therapy for lymphoma.

The occurrence of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and Acute Myeloblastic Leukaemia (AML) following cytotoxic therapy for neoplastic disease is well recognised. RAS mutations are common in patients with MDS and AML. To determine whether these lesions are found as early markers of secondary disease, we have studied the incidence of RAS mutations in the peripheral blood of 70 patients in complete remission from lymphoma. Patients were treated by standard chemotherapy regimes and/or localised radiotherapy. Treatment had been given 6 months to 14 1/2 years previously and no patient showed any sign of residual disease. Genomic DNA from peripheral blood leukocytes was amplified in vitro at target codons of N, K and H RAS genes, and mutations detected by hybridisation with oligonucleotide probes. RAS mutations were detected in 9 subjects. One patient with an N12 valine (Val) substitution had been in complete remission from Hodgkin's disease (HD) for 9 years. DNA from this patient registered in a nude mouse tumorigenicity assay (NMT). The N12 Val mutation was not detected in the original tumour tissue from the same patient. A second patient in remission from HD showed evidence of co-existent N12 cysteine (Cys) and N13 valine (Val) substitutions which were not detected in presentation material or unaffected tissues. All patients are currently haematologically normal, indicating that clones of mutant RAS bearing cells may be detected prior to any overt sign of disease.

Animals↗

Expert opinions on nutrition issues in clinical dentistry.

Diet assessment and counseling are essential components of comprehensive preventive dental care programs. However, the lack of consensus on what constitutes appropriate nutrition services has resulted in diversity in the level and quality of such services to dental patients. Seventy nine nationally recognized experts in dental nutrition were surveyed using the Delphi method to seek consensus on the appropriate scope of nutrition in clinical dentistry.

Chi-Square Distribution↗

Comparative assessment of chordal preservation versus chordal resection during mitral valve replacement.

Left ventricular function often deteriorates after mitral valve replacement for mitral regurgitation. It has been postulated that disruption of the mitral valve apparatus at operation is a major mechanism of postoperative dysfunction. The hypothesis tested in this investigation was that chordal preservation results in more favorable left ventricular function. Sixty-nine patients with isolated mitral regurgitation who underwent mitral valve replacement were studied before and 6 months after operation by treadmill exercise testing, catheterization, echocardiography, and radionuclide angiography. Nine patients underwent mitral valve replacement with preservation of the entire mitral apparatus and five with preservation of the posterior leaflet and attached chordae. The remaining 55 had mitral valve replacement with complete excision of the native valve. Preoperatively, there were no differences among groups in age, gender, exercise capacity, cardiac index, rest or exercise ejection fraction, fractional shortening, or pulmonary artery pressures. There were four perioperative deaths (7%) and eight late deaths among the 55 patients with chordal resection but no early or late deaths of patients whose chordae were preserved (p = 0.05). In patients in whom the chordae were excised, exercise capacity, left ventricular systolic dimensions, and cardiac index did not improve after mitral valve replacement, and left ventricular function deteriorated, as evidenced by a reduction of both the resting and exercise ejection fractions (from 46% +/- 13% to 31% +/- 13%, p = 0.0001, and from 49% +/- 12% to 37% +/- 14%, p = 0.0007, respectively) and fractional shortening (from 34% +/- 10% to 26% +/- 14%, p = 0.0001). In contrast, exercise capacity improved after mitral valve replacement in patients in whom the entire apparatus was spared (by 4 +/- 3 minutes, p = 0.05), left ventricular systolic dimensions decreased (from 44 +/- 8 to 36 +/- 9 mm, p = 0.03), and left ventricular function was maintained or improved, as evidenced by preservation of the resting ejection fraction (preoperative, 50% +/- 14%; postoperative, 54% +/- 11%; p = no significant difference), exercise ejection fraction (46% +/- 16% versus 52% +/- 9%, p = no significant difference), fractional shortening (from 31% +/- 9% to 28% +/- 9%, p = no significant difference), and an increase in the cardiac index (from 2.0 +/- 0.3 to 2.7 +/- 0.5 L/min/m2, p = 0.05). No statistically significant differences between posterior chordal resection only and preservation of the entire apparatus were found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

The results of operation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and pulmonary hypertension.

The clinical course and hemodynamic results in patients undergoing operation for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with preoperative pulmonary arterial hypertension were unknown. The hypothesis tested in this retrospective study was that operative relief of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction resulted in a substantial reduction in pulmonary artery pressures and mitral regurgitation without necessitating mitral valve replacement. Patients were included if their preoperative pulmonary systolic pressure was greater than 35 mm Hg and if they were without concomitant cardiac disease, with the exception of mitral regurgitation. Since 1962, 49 patients who fit our criteria underwent left ventricular myotomy and myectomy with 98% follow-up. Mean follow-up was 7.9 +/- 0.7 (mean +/- standard error of the mean) years with a range of 0.8 to 18.4 years. Early hospital mortality rate was 12% (n = 6); two deaths from low cardiac output and four from arrhythmia. There were 43 (88%) hospital survivors and 18 late deaths. Actuarial survival rate after operation was 87% +/- 5% (n = 31) at 5 years and 55% +/- 8% (n = 9) at 10 years. Thirty-nine of 43 survivors (91%) returned 9 +/- 1 months postoperatively for follow-up evaluation including cardiac catheterization. The majority (83%) were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II postoperatively. Cardiac catheterizations indicated a fall in pulmonary arterial systolic pressure from 62 +/- 3 (range = 36 to 105) to 38 +/- 2 (range = 21 to 65) mm Hg (p = 0.0001) with no difference in right atrial pressure or cardiac output. Pulmonary arterial wedge mean pressure decreased from 24 +/- 1 to 16 +/- 5 mm Hg (p = 0.0002) and preoperative mitral regurgitation improved or was abolished in 85% of patients studied (n = 13). Rest and maximal provocable left ventricular outflow tract gradients decreased from 81 +/- 7 and 103 +/- 5 to 14 +/- 3 and 45 +/- 8 mm Hg, respectively (p = 0.0001). Comparison of the above-mentioned patients, operated on since 1982, with a preoperatively matched group who underwent mitral valve replacement in the same interval showed no statistically significant difference in mortality, morbidity, hemodynamic outcome, or functional outcome with a mean follow-up of 2 years. We conclude that a consistent, significant reduction (mean = 40%) in preoperative pulmonary arterial systolic pressure, clinical symptoms, and mitral regurgitation occurs with relief of outflow tract obstruction by left ventricular myotomy and myectomy and that pulmonary hypertension and mitral regurgitation are not indications for mitral valve replacement in these patients.

Blood Pressure↗