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Biomedical subjects

V Lewis

Publications and source records attributed to V Lewis.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Management of chronic sternal osteomyelitis.

The management of 2 patients in whom chronic sternal osteomyelitis developed after apparently uncomplicated coronary artery bypass operations is described. Each patient had become totally disabled because of chronic, draining sinus tracts. Eradication of the infection required total sternectomy and excision of all infected costal cartilage. Subsequent reconstruction was accomplished by using bilateral pectoralis major myocutaneous advancement flaps without any maneuvers to stabilize the anterior chest wall. Both patients have resumed full activity and have returned to work with only minimal residual compromise of pulmonary function.

Aged↗

Ablation of folliculogenesis in women by a single dose of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist: significance of time in cycle.

Effects of single subcutaneous doses (1, 5, 20, and 100 micrograms) of nafarelin, a potent gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, on the physiologic events of the human menstrual cycle were studied in 28 normal women. Nafarelin entered the circulation rapidly after injection. Peak concentrations were observed within 1 hour, and the plasma half-life was 4 to 5 hours. Maximal concentrations of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were reached 3 to 4 hours after nafarelin administration. The magnitude of the gonadotropin responses depended both on the phase of the menstrual cycle (smallest responses during the early follicular phase) and the dose of nafarelin. Nafarelin administration during the early follicular phase delayed ovulation by 4.6 +/- 1.7 (standard deviation) days and prolonged the duration of the menstrual cycle from a pretreatment length of 29.2 +/- 2.1 days to 33.4 +/- 4.0 days (P less than 0.001). When nafarelin was administered shortly before or after ovulation, cycle length was not altered consistently. Administration 5 to 10 days after ovulation resulted in a truncated luteal phase. These observations suggest that the hormonal events triggered by nafarelin during the early follicular phase temporarily arrest the process of selection of the dominant follicle. Repeated intermittent administration of nafarelin or other gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists in the early follicular phase may prevent follicular maturation and ovulation and may be a practical approach to contraceptive development.

Adult↗

Glycoproteins of the lysosomal membrane.

Three glycoprotein antigens (120, 100, and 80 kD) were detected by mono- and/or polyclonal antibodies generated by immunization with highly purified rat liver lysosomal membranes. All of the antigens were judged to be integral membrane proteins based on the binding of Triton X-114. By immunofluorescence on normal rat kidney cells, a mouse monoclonal antibody to the 120-kD antigen co-stained with a polyclonal rabbit antibody that detected the 100- and 80-kD antigens as well as with antibodies to acid phosphatase, indicating that these antigens are preferentially localized in lysosomes. Few 120-kD-positive structures were found to be negative for acid phosphatase, suggesting that the antigen was not concentrated in organelles such as endosomes, which lack acid phosphatase. Immunoperoxidase cytochemistry also showed little reactivity in Golgi cisternae, coated vesicles, or on the plasma membrane. Digestion with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H (Endo H) and endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase F (Endo F) demonstrated that each of the antigens contained multiple N-linked oligosaccharide chains, most of which were of the complex (Endo H-resistant) type. The 120-kD protein was very heavily glycosylated, having at least 18 N-linked chains. It was also rich in sialic acid, since neuraminidase digestion increased the pI of the 120-kD protein from less than 4 to greater than 8. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that the glycoprotein components of the lysosomal membrane are synthesized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and terminally glycosylated in the Golgi before delivery to lysosomes. We have provisionally designated these antigens lysosomal membrane glycoproteins lgp120, lgp100, lgp80.

Animals↗

Distribution of adrenergic receptors does not explain regional differences in blood flow in the pregnant rabbit uterus.

The increase in uterine blood flow during pregnancy is maximal at the placental implantation site, but the mechanisms of this increase are poorly understood. Adrenergic receptor activation may influence blood flow both directly and indirectly. We therefore asked whether distribution of myometrial adrenergic receptors within the rabbit uterus could explain the increased blood flow to smooth muscle under the placenta. alpha-Adrenergic and beta-adrenergic receptor concentrations and affinities were measured in myometrium from under the placenta and compared to myometrium between placentas and distant from the placentas. There were no differences in receptor concentrations or affinities in different parts of the uterus. We therefore conclude that the distribution of adrenergic receptors in the pregnant rabbit uterus cannot explain the preferential blood flow to myometrium at the placental implantation site.

Animals↗

A comparison between transient amnesias induced by two drugs (diazepam or lorazepam) and amnesia of organic origin.

The transient amnesias produced by drugs may have much in common with the more permanent amnesias associated with organic brain damage. This possibility was investigated using two benzodiazepines, diazepam and lorazepam, with medical student volunteers. In Experiment 1, 27 subjects received a 2ml intravenous injection of either diazepam (7.5 mg) or of lorazepam (3.0 mg) or of normal saline. In Experiment 2, a further 13 subjects were given lorazepam (2.5 mg) or saline. A double blind procedure was used. Neither drug had an appreciable effect on span-type short-term memory (except with 2-channel presentation). Both drugs produced severe anterograde amnesia in other forms of memory test: the amnesic effect of lorazepam lasted for several hours. This amnesia was not attributable to failures of perception. Lorazepam appeared to affect recognition even more than recall. In a test with lorazepam no evidence was obtained that the drug increases susceptibility to proactive interference. With both drugs, recall and recognition were unimpaired of material presented about 10 min before the injection; this shows that the drugs did not affect retrieval mechanisms.

Adult↗

A survey of mycobacteriosis of feral pigs in the Northern Territory.

Seven hundred and fifty-one feral pigs from the subcoastal plains of the Northern Territory were examined. The sample population consisted of 52.4% females and 47.6% males. They ranged in age from newborn piglets to mature animals of over 72 months. Of the pigs examined 47.7% had macroscopic abscesses and of these 80.2% were probably caused by mycobacteria. Tissues from 193 pigs were examined bacteriologically and 93 strains of mycobacteria were isolated. These were typed as M. bovis (37 strains); M. avium serotype 2 (1); M. intracellulare serotypes 6 (2), 7 (3), 9 (1) and 18 (1); M. intracellulare double serotypes 6 + 12 (1), 8 + 12 (1), and 11 + 12 (1); M. intracellulare unclassified serotype (4); M. scrofulaceum serotype 41 (1); M. scrofulaceum unclassified serotype (7); M. gordonae (2); M. Kansasii (1); M. simiae (2); M. szulgai (2); M. vaccae (1); and M. xenopi (2). Additionally, 3 strains were unidentifiable members of the M. avium-M. intracellulare-M. scrofulaceum (MAIS) complex, one strain was a Runyon's group IV and 4 strains were typed as members of the genus Rhodococcus. Five strains were non-viable on subculture and 10 did not conform to any currently recognised species of mycobacteria. Of the 93 strains, 3 were isolated from tissue that did not contain macroscopic lesions, viz. M. simiae, Runyon's group IV and an unidentifiable member of the MAIS complex. It was concluded that the feral pig is probably an end host for both M. bovis and atypical mycobacteria and not a significant source of infection for cattle. M. bovis is not a significant cause of mortality in feral pigs but mycobacterioses are a significant cause of morbidity. With increasing age, the proportion of pigs having lesions increased whereas the proportion of lesions from which mycobacteria could be isolated decreased.

Animals↗

Percutaneous epidural neurostimulation in modulation of paraplegic spasticity. Six case reports.

Six cases of paraplegic, post-traumatic spasticity, alleviated by percutaneous epidural neurostimulation with temporary or permanent implanted neuroelectrodes from the L1 to L4 intervertebral levels are presented. Modulation of this spasticity and secondary beneficial physiological effects were achieved, including regulation of bowel regimens, production of sweating and piloerection below the level of the lesion, and morning erections. The main advantages of percutaneous epidural neurostimulation in modulating spasticity are the avoidance of destructive neurosurgical procedures, the regulation of secondary physiological and autonomic responses, the avoidance of antispasticity medications, and the reversibility of the neurostimulation procedure.

Adolescent↗

A novel lymphocyte differentiating factor in serum of patients with mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome.

Sera from 13 patients with mycosis fungoides and 2 with Sezary syndrome were tested for activity that induces lymphocyte differentiation. Induction of Thy-1.2 antigen and surface immunoglobulin were used, respectively, to measure T- and B-cell differentiation. The indicator cells were null lymphocytes from the spleens of congenitally athymic nude mice. Normal serum induced some T-cell but no B-cell differentiation. The T-cell-inducing activity was ascribed to thymic hormone and declined with advancing age. A totally different pattern emerged with patient serum. T-cell-inducing activity was significantly more active than in normal serum (p less than 0.001). This activity did not decline with advancing age and was not inhibited by a concentration of ubiquitin, which blocks nonspecific beta-adrenergic induction. B-cell-inducing activity was also present. This novel serum factor (or factors) is a potent inducer of T- and B-lymphocyte differentiation and is associated with neoplastic lymphoproliferation of the T-cell series.

Adult↗

Amnesic effects of intravenous diazepam and lorazepam.

The amnesic effects of 2 benzodiazepine drugs, diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan), have been investigated. Some of the effects were similar to those of certain clinical amnesic syndromes. The effects were more extensive than previous work has indicated.

Adult↗

Circulating thymic-hormone activity in congenital immunodeficiency.

Circulating thymic-hormone activity was assayed by measuring Thy 1-2 antigen induction on null lymphocytes from athymic mice incubated with human plasma or serum. Plasma from 19 normal children aged under 10 had inductive activity equivalent to 10-6-16-2 ng thymopoitin/ml. Plasma from 15 infants were severe combined immuno-deficiency, 2 of whom had appreciable immunoglobulin synthesis, and from 2 infants with DiGeorge syndrome had little or no inductive activity. Successful reconstitution with thymus or bone-marrow grafts and with red-cell infusions (if adenosine-deaminase deficiency is present) was followed by a rise in circulating thymic-hormone activity.

Agammaglobulinemia↗

Genetic homology between man and the chimpanzee: syntenic relationships of genes for galactokinase and thymidine kinase and adenovirus-12-induced gaps using chimpanzee-mouse somatic cell hybrids.

The induction by adenovirus-12 of a site-specific gap and assignment of the chimpanzee genes for thymidine kinase and galactokinase were studied by utilizing chimpanzee-mouse hybrid cells. It has been shown that adenovirus-12 induces a specific gap in the long arm of human chromosome 17 (HS 17); with chimpanzee-mouse hybrid cells the specific gap appears on the short arm of the chimpanzee homolog [PTR 19 (HS 17)] of HS 17. This result supports the proposed relationship of HS 17 to PTR 19 (HS 17) by means of a pericentric inversion. The chimpanzee thymidine kinase and galactokinase genes were assigned to PTR 19 (HS 17), further confirming the homology to HS 17. Other syntenic relationships and gene assignments were consistent with proposed homologies between chimpanzee and human chromosomes.

Adenoviridae↗