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Biomedical subjects

R Thomas

Publications and source records attributed to R Thomas.

At least 775 records · Page 43Linked to original sources

Significance of the biopsy site of the latissimus dorsi muscle for fiber typing.

The use of the latissimus dorsi muscle for cardiomyoplasty requires accurate assessment of the outcome of methods used to convert fast fibers to slow fibers. A knowledge of the normal distribution pattern of slow fibers within the latissimus dorsi is necessary for this endeavor. Fresh latissimus dorsi and teres major muscle tissues from seven pigs, one rabbit, two sheep, one monkey, and four dogs were studied with myosin adenosine triphosphatase staining. Fiber counts were made visually. With the exception of the rabbit, the distribution patterns were similar for all species: (1) intersegmentally--the number of slow fibers decreased steadily from the teres major to the anterior edge of the lateral segment; (2) intrasegmentally--slow fibers were more frequent in the deep layer than the superficial layer; and (3) intrasegmentally--the slow fibers tended to cluster in rosette formations around the neurovascular bundles. These patterns of distribution indicate the need for careful location of biopsies to ensure valid comparison of the amount of slow fibers in tissue before and after treatment.

Animals↗

Effect of cyclosporine on the uptake of monoclonal antibody to cardiac myosin.

Monoclonal antibody to cardiac myosin labeled with indium-111 diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid holds promise as a noninvasive marker of cardiac graft rejection. Uptake of antibody has correlated with histologic evidence of rejection in nonimmunosuppressed animals. Whether this correlation will apply with immunosuppression has important clinical implications. Fifty-two heterotopic heart transplantations were performed between isogeneic and nonisogeneic strains of rats. Cyclosporine-treated (15 mg/kg day subcutaneously for 9 days) and untreated control animals were killed on day 9, 48 hours after injection of radiolabeled antibody. Donor and recipient hearts were submitted for scintillation scanning and histologic analysis. In untreated animals, antibody uptake was significantly greater in nonisogeneic than in isogeneic donor hearts, correlating with a significantly higher rejection score and increased myocyte necrosis in the former. Between isogeneic groups, cyclosporine-treated donor hearts had significantly higher antibody uptake and donor/native antibody uptake ratios than did untreated isogeneic hearts. There was, however, no significant difference in the histologic degree of rejection or myocyte necrosis between isogeneic groups. Between cyclosporine-treated and untreated nonisogeneic animals, donor heart antibody uptake and donor-native heart antibody uptake ratios were not significantly different. Nonetheless, the histologic grade of rejection and presence of myocyte necrosis was significantly greater in untreated than in treated nonisogeneic hearts. There were no abnormalities in the native hearts. In this model, cyclosporine treatment correlates with an increased uptake of antimyosin antibody in both isogeneic and nonisogeneic donor hearts, out of proportion to histologic evidence of rejection or myocyte necrosis. This effect may lead to false-positive results in clinical tests utilizing antimyosin antibody uptake as a marker of rejection in the presence of cyclosporine therapy.

Animals↗

Diastolic mechanical properties of the left ventricle after global ischemia.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate left ventricular (LV) diastolic mechanical properties after induced global ischemia using reliable new methods. The diastolic function of nonoxygenated crystalloid solution (CC sO2) was compared with those of oxygenated crystalloid (CC cO2) and oxygenated fluorocarbon cardioplegic (FC cO2) solutions. Postischemic ventricular performance was studied in 3 equal (no. 7) groups of dogs subjected to 120 minutes of global ischemia induced at an average myocardial temperature of 18.5 +/- 1.4 degrees C. LV diastolic function (chamber and myocardial stiffness) and relaxation (the exponential fall in LV pressure) were evaluated by sonomicrometry and Millar micrometers before ischemia and at 45 and 60 minutes after ischemia. LV chamber and myocardial stiffness in the CC sO2 group was significantly (p less than 0.05) elevated after ischemia, while the CC cO2 and FC cO2 groups did not show increases in LV chamber and myocardial stiffness after ischemia. LV relaxation before and after ischemia was not changed in any group. The myocardial water content of the CC sO2 group was significantly higher than that of the CC cO2 and FC cO2 groups (p less than 0.05). We conclude that (1) the postischemic increase in LV chamber stiffness in the CC sO2 group was dependent not only on the increase in intrinsic myocardial stiffness but also due to an increase in myocardial edema, and (2) there was no correlation between the LV relaxation rate and the leftward shift of diastolic compliance curves in the CC sO2 group.

Animals↗

Comparative anatomy and histochemistry of human and canine latissimus dorsi muscle.

Gross and histologic studies of human and canine latissimus dorsi muscle were carried out to identify anatomic and histochemical properties that may be relevant to its use as a resource muscle, particularly for heart reconstruction. In both human and canine latissimus dorsi, three distinct muscle segments were observed, differing in direction of fibers, fiber characteristics, thickness, and blood supply. The entire canine latissimus dorsi could also be separated into superficial and deep layers, whereas only the anterolateral segment of human latissimus dorsi was separated further by the neurovascular bundle. Histochemical studies suggested significant differences between the ratios of fast to slow fibers in the superior and anterolateral segments of human muscle. Variation in size, weight, and shape within and between subjects demonstrates a need for careful evaluation of the potential resource muscle.

Aged↗

The significance of colloid osmotic pressure during induced hypothermia.

Colloid osmotic pressure (COP) during hypothermia with and without total circulatory arrest was evaluated in 20 adult mongrel dogs (average body weight = 18.6 kg). All animals were surface-cooled to 20 degrees C (rectal temperature) under halothane-diethyl ether azeotrope anesthesia and divided into 4 equal groups. In Groups I (non-arrest) and II (60 minute-arrest) 10% low molecular weight dextran (LMWD; 1 gm/kg = 10 ml/kg) was administered during cooling. Physiological saline (10 ml/kg) was given in Groups III (non-arrest) and IV (60 minute-arrest) during cooling. COP in LMWD groups increased significantly during cooling and was consistently higher than it was in the saline groups during rewarming. There were no significant differences in heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous (CVP) and pulmonary artery wedge pressures (PAW) between the 4 groups during cooling. The increase in hematocrit (Hct) in animals that received saline was significant at the end of cooling and during rewarming. Hct was not significantly changed in Group I throughout the procedure, whereas in Group II (60 minute-arrest) it increased significantly during rewarming despite the administration of LMWD. Rewarming time in Group II was significantly shorter than in Group IV (144.2 +/- 9.6 min vs 193.2 +/- 32.6 min, respectively). We conclude that the administration of LMWD effectively reduces hemoconcentration and is also beneficial for maintaining better peripheral circulation.

Animals↗

The medical record and the medical interview: an evaluation of student case histories.

This study assessed the results of a second-year family medicine course designed to improve student abilities in writing complete assessments and plans from interviews with standardized patients. Sixty-six students attended lectures on the patient's perception of the symptoms of the major causes of death, learned techniques of medical interviewing, saw a model interview by their tutor, received model faculty histories based on American Board of Family Practice Office Record Review Criteria, and received critiques of their own histories. Students in the highest decile recorded twice as much information as those in the lowest decile and recorded as many history items as the faculty member who recorded the most history items. The faculty, however, recorded a more complete list of diagnoses, differential diagnoses, and investigations. Students in the lowest decile recorded the least information and the least number of assessments and plans and did not respond to written critiques. Students in the lowest decile could improve if they were identified early in the course and worked intensively with role models.

Curriculum↗

Comminuted trochanteric femoral fractures in geriatric patients: the results of 231 cases treated with internal fixation and acrylic cement.

Instability, osteoporosis and the requirement of early mobilization are the main problems in comminuted trochanteric fractures in elderly patients. Correct reduction and the use of acrylic cement as an adjunct to internal fixation provide the stability for immediate weightbearing and subsequent bone union. In 213 patients there was no evidence of femoral head necrosis or non-union.

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