Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

W K Vaughn

Publications and source records attributed to W K Vaughn.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Reassessment of White's classification and Pedersen's prognostically bad signs of diabetic pregnancies in insulin-dependent diabetic pregnancies.

The classification systems developed over 20 years ago by White and Pedersen identified diabetic pregnancies at increased risk for perinatal mortality. To assess whether these same criteria would currently be valid, 199 diabetic pregnancies with deliveries from 1977 to 1983 were reviewed. Perinatal mortality rates for White's Classes B gestational (n = 72), B (n = 27), C (n = 67), and D + F + R (n = 33) were 2.9%, 11.1%, 14.9%, and 21.1%, respectively (p less than 0.05). White's classes were also predictive of pulmonary morbidity (12.5%, 18.5%, 22.4%, and 42.4%, respectively). The presence of one or more of the prognostically bad signs of pregnancy (n = 76) increased the perinatal mortality rate to 17.1% versus 7.3% among insulin-dependent diabetic pregnancies without prognostically bad signs (p less than 0.05). The presence of any prognostically bad signs of pregnancy was also predictive of pulmonary morbidity in general (31.6% versus 16.3%, respectively) and hyaline membrane disease in particular (13.2% versus 4.1%, respectively). Thus with use of modern obstetric management and medical care of the pregnant diabetic patient, both White's classification and Pedersen's prognostically bad signs of pregnancy continue to be predictive of perinatal mortality.

Adult↗

Adhesion reformation and de novo adhesion formation after reproductive pelvic surgery.

At second-look laparoscopy, 82 of 161 women (51%) were noted to have adhesions at at least one new location. Such adhesions occurred at 31% of available sites. Among 121 women with adhesions at the initial operative procedure, the rate and type of recurrence assessed on the ovaries, fimbriae, and other sites were independent of the initial type. Additionally, neither the rate nor the type of adhesion recurrence observed at the time of second-look laparotomy was determined by the variable amount of time between the initial and second-look operative procedures. We conclude that reproductive pelvic surgical procedures are frequently complicated not only by adhesion reformation but by de novo adhesion formation as well.

Female↗

Right ventricular hypertrophy is an important determinant of right ventricular infarction complicating acute inferior left ventricular infarction.

To explore the role of right ventricular hypertrophy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the pathogenesis of right ventricular infarction, 27 consecutive patients with a first inferior left ventricular infarction were prospectively studied. Right ventricular infarction was diagnosed using established hemodynamic criteria. Right ventricular hypertrophy was defined as right ventricular free wall thickness greater than or equal to 5 mm. Patients were classified into two groups: Group I patients with right ventricular infarction (n = 15), and Group II patients without right ventricular infarction (n = 12). The ratio of forced expiratory volume over forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) and forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% expired volume (FEF) as a percent of predicted values were significantly reduced in Group I versus Group II (90 +/- 5 versus 105 +/- 6% and 63 +/- 13 versus 103 +/- 15%, respectively; p less than 0.05). This was associated with increased right ventricular wall thickness (Group I 5.5 +/- 0.3 mm versus Group II 3.9 +/- 0.2 mm, p less than 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that right ventricular wall thickness was the strongest predictor of right ventricular infarction (p less than 0.0005). No significant difference was found in the site of right coronary occlusion, collateral blood supply or extent of coronary artery disease between the two groups. These findings suggest that right ventricular hypertrophy predisposes patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction to right ventricular infarction independent of the site or extent of coronary artery disease.

Adult↗

Beneficial long-term effect of intracoronary perfluorochemical on infarct size and ventricular function in a canine reperfusion model.

The administration of a drug soon after reperfusion that could enhance myocardial salvage would have important clinical application. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effect of the perfluorochemical, Fluosol DA 20%, on infarct size, infarct morphology, ventricular ectopic activity and serial regional ventricular function in a 2 week closed chest canine model. After 90 minutes of proximal left anterior descending artery occlusion, animals randomly received either oxygenated Fluosol DA (n = 9) or saline solution (n = 9) intracoronary at 15 ml/kg body weight over 20 to 30 minutes. Hemodynamic variables were similar in the two groups except for transient elevation of left ventricular filling pressure immediately after infusion in the treated group. Infarct size was markedly reduced in the perfluorochemical-treated animals when expressed as a percent of the risk region (10.8 +/- 1.8% versus 28.9 +/- 5.5%, p less than 0.02) or as a percent of the total left ventricle (3.7 +/- 1% versus 10.8 +/- 8%, p less than 0.006). This was associated with greater improvement in radial shortening in the jeopardized zone at 2 weeks after reperfusion (15.3 +/- 2.8% versus 5.2 +/- 2.1%, p less than 0.01). Histologic examination revealed adequate healing in the treated animals with an increased number of swollen mononuclear cells in the border zones. Holter electrocardiographic recordings demonstrated a low frequency of ventricular ectopic beats in both groups. This study suggests that the perfluorochemical, Fluosol DA, may be a potentially useful agent in enhancing myocardial salvage after successful reperfusion.

Animals↗

Urinary 19-nor-deoxycorticosterone and deoxycorticosterone in hypertensive disease of pregnancy.

Normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia are associated with water and sodium retention. Therefore various mineralocorticoids have been evaluated in normal and abnormal pregnancies. This study reports the urinary free 19-nor-deoxycorticosterone (19-nor-DOC) and deoxycorticosterone (DOC) levels in normal pregnancy and in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension. Levels of 19-nor-DOC and DOC were not significantly different between normal patients in the third trimester and women with pregnancy-induced hypertension at a comparable gestational age. The urinary excretion of 19-nor-DOC in pregnancy was noted to be significantly lower than that previously reported in normal male volunteers. There was a positive correlation between 19-nor-DOC excretion and increasing gestational age. These data are compatible with the view that 19-nor-DOC may not play a role in pregnancy-induced hypertension. However, a larger study of primigravid women, with and without, pre-eclampsia is needed to confirm this finding.

Adult↗

Lymphocytotoxicity crossmatch proficiency testing among regional transplant centers.

During an eight and a half-year period (1976-1984), 408 combinations of different cells and sera involving 12,652 lymphocytotoxicity crossmatch reactions performed by 21-37 histocompatibility laboratories were studied in 20 proficiency tests conducted by the South-Eastern Organ Procurement Foundation. Consensus by 75% or more laboratories were obtained on 336 (82.4%) of these test samples: of the 10,410 reactions examined with the use of these consensus cells and sera, only 649 (6.2%) were discordant. Considering positive and negative reactions separately, the discordant (false) positive and negative rates were similar (6.1%, 6.4%, respectively). Varying specific factors in given tests indicated that discordant results were significantly reduced by (1) dispensing sera in trays centrally rather than locally; (2) using a standard one-wash procedure rather than local or three-wash methods; and (3) using reagent (monospecific) rather than patient (polyspecific) sera. Use of standard versus local rabbit complement did not significantly influence the concordance of results.

Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic↗

Limited stage small cell lung cancer: analysis of clinical prognostic factors.

In an attempt to identify clinical features of prognostic value in patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer, we retrospectively reviewed the records and chest roentgenograms of 101 such patients seen at Vanderbilt University Hospital. All patients were treated with combination chemotherapy regimens of comparable efficacy with or without chest radiotherapy and/or surgical resection. Median survival for the 101 patients was 16 months; the three-year actuarial survival was 14%. Elevated serum LDH level at the time of diagnosis was predictive of improved survival by both univariate and multivariate analyses (P less than .01). Initial tumor volume (calculated from tumor measurements) on chest roentgenogram and clinical TNM stage were unrelated to survival. Until the prognostic significance of an elevated serum LDH level is confirmed by other investigators, we cannot recommend any modification in the current system for staging small cell lung cancer. Although patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer form a clinically heterogeneous group, they should continue to be treated uniformly.

Actuarial Analysis↗

The effect of first cadaver renal transplant HLA-A, B match on sensitization levels and retransplant rates following graft failure.

Data were collected retrospectively on all 449 first-transplant cadaver renal allograft recipients transplanted at four centers between 1/1/78 an 12/31/82 who had graft failure by 1/1/85. A total of 383 of these patients had information available regarding subsequent disposition. Of these, 182 (47.5%) were placed on an active waiting list for retransplantation. There were no associations found between placement on a waiting list and the following variables: panel reactive antibody (PRA) prior to first transplant or subsequent to graft failure, recipient age at first transplant or at the time of graft failure, recipient race, PRA after first graft loss, or HLA-A, B match of the first transplant. When stratified by level of HLA-A, B match as poor (0-1 antigen, n = 150) or good (2-4 antigens, n = 233) the poorly matched recipients as a group had a significantly lower mean PRA prior to first transplant (9.4 +/- 1.6 vs. 15.5 +/- 1.7, P less than 0.01), but a significantly higher PRA within the first year following graft failure (48.1 +/- 4.8 vs. 36.2 +/- 3.2, P less than 0.04). In addition, the poorly matched (vs. well-matched) group had a significantly higher mean increase in PRA following graft failure (45.1 +/- 4.4 vs. 33.7 +/- 3.5), and a significantly higher percentage of patients with PRA level greater than or equal to 60% within a year after graft failure (40% vs. 25%). Of the 182 patients who were placed on a waiting list, 113 (62.1%) were regrafted. As a group, regrafted patients had a significantly lower PRA within the first year following graft failure compared with the group not regrafted (33.6 +/- 3.9 vs. 54.0 +/- 5.0, P less than 0.002). Patients with a good first transplant HLA match had a higher overall regraft rate compared with those with a poor match (70.0% vs. 50.0%, P less than 0.01). Likewise, the percentage of well-matched patients regrafted within two years of first graft failure was significantly higher (55.5% vs. 32.5%, P less than 0.02). By multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazard model with 13 separate variables and considering all patients, the relative risk (RR) of not being regrafted was significantly (P less than 0.012) associated with poor HLA-A, B matching of the first transplant (RR = 1.7).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Follow-Up Studies↗

Identification of donor factors predisposing to high discard rates of cadaver kidneys and increased graft loss within one year posttransplantation--SEOPF 1977-1982. South-Eastern Organ Procurement Foundation.

From 1977 to 1982, the South-Eastern Organ Procurement Foundation (SEOPF) conducted a prospective study to determine the fate of all cadaver kidneys retrieved by member institutions. During the study period, 6152 kidneys were retrieved, 1264 being discarded. Donor factors predisposing to wastage included AB and A blood groups, donor age greater than 30, hospitalization greater than 3 days, serum creatinine greater than 2.0 mg%, average systolic blood pressure less than 80, last-hour urine output less than 100 ml, proteinuria, heart not beating at time of nephrectomy, and kidneys not removed en bloc. Donor factors affecting graft survival rate at one year include age, length of hospitalization, last-hour urine output, and changing serum creatinine. The data suggest that certain donor kidneys are less likely than others to be transplanted depending on donor characteristics and retrieval practices. Furthermore, some of these factors have a negative impact on long-term success when kidneys are transplanted.

Adolescent↗

Effect of class I HLA matching on graft survival in sensitized patients.

First, the proportion of highly sensitized transplant candidates grows in the absence of organ sharing. The unsensitized patient is transplanted readily; the sensitized patient has restricted access because of the need for a well-matched kidney to permit a negative cross-match. Second, well-matched grafts are equally successful in sensitized and unsensitized recipients. Finally, emphasis on organ sharing would reverse the trend of accumulation of sensitized candidates without decreasing graft survival.

Follow-Up Studies↗

Questionnaire, walking time and button test measures of functional capacity as predictive markers for mortality in rheumatoid arthritis.

Mortality over 9 years in rheumatoid arthritis was studied according to baseline demographic, disease, therapy and comorbidity variables, and measures of functional capacity variables. Significant differences between patients who survived and died over the next 9 years were seen for 8 variables: age, joint count, oral corticosteroid use, presence of concurrent heart disease, formal educational level, and 3 quantitative measures of functional capacity, questionnaire responses regarding activities of daily living, modified walking time and the button test. Five-year survivals of 50% or less were seen in patients with severely dysfunctional values for the 3 quantitative measures of functional capacity. Increased relative risk of mortality according to functional capacity measures was not explained by age, sex, duration of disease, smoking history, joint count, hand radiograph score, grip strength, morning stiffness, formal educational level, oral corticosteroid or parenteral gold use, or various comorbidities, and was not expected by a majority of physicians.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Ontogeny of neuroendocrine cells in human fetal lung. III. An electron microscopic immunohistochemical study.

Immunocytochemistry at the transmission electron microscopic level utilizing colloidal gold spheres conjugated with secondary antisera was performed on lungs of 22 human fetuses and newborn infants of 13 to 38 weeks gestation and from birth to 5 1/2 months of postnatal life. Tissue was stained for the peptide hormones, immunoreactive (IR) bombesin, and IR calcitonin. In addition to unmatched neuroendocrine (NE) cells identified for these peptides, matched cells were identified in near-serial ribbons, each stained for an individual peptide. Based on morphology, five subtypes of NE cells were examined for these two peptides. We have confirmed the previously demonstrated developmental appearances of these peptides in human fetal lung. We also have found many cells containing both peptides in the lungs of live-born infants of 25 weeks gestation or more who survived long enough to develop chronic lung disease. The percentage of neurosecretory granules labeled for IR bombesin which overlapped with the percentage of granules labeled for IR calcitonin in cells of several dysplastic lung suggested that both peptides could be contained within a single granule. This was confirmed in NE cells of four such infants in preliminary studies utilizing double labeling immunocytochemistry at the electron microscopic level. At least two subpopulations of NE cells were not labeled for either peptide, suggesting that as yet-unidentified peptides and/or amines are contained in their granules. The possibility that large nonlabeled granules contain hormone precursors is also raised.

Bombesin↗

Reduced graft rejection with good HLA-A and B matching in high-risk corneal transplantation.

We examined the effect of matching for HLA-A and B antigens on the success of corneal transplantation in a single-center, prospective, masked study that began in March 1979. The study involved 97 consecutive recipients at high risk because of prior corneal graft rejection or serious vascularization of the native cornea. Donor corneas were selected on the basis of ABO-blood-group compatibility, a negative lymphocyte crossmatch, and optimal HLA-A and B matching; all clinical personnel were "masked" to the degree of HLA matching during the study. Among 38 patients receiving corneas with a good HLA match (two or more antigens), only 8 (21 percent) had graft rejection, as compared with 29 of 59 (49 percent) with a poor match (no or one antigen) (P less than 0.010). The mean (+/- SE) difference in rejection-free graft survival increased with time: 88.4 +/- 5.5 percent versus 73.5 +/- 5.9 percent at six months, and 80.1 +/- 7.5 percent versus 38.5 +/- 7.9 percent at two years. Cox multiple regression analysis, which included the HLA-A and B match and nine other potential confounding variables and risk factors also identified a significant (P less than 0.009) relative risk (4.6) of rejection reactions as well as irreversible graft rejection (P less than 0.016; relative risk, 11.2) with poor HLA-A and B matching. Our findings indicate that good HLA-A and B matching yields a significant long-term benefit in reducing the number of episodes of graft rejection and subsequent failure in high-risk recipients of corneal transplants.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Elevated MMPI scores for hypochondriasis, depression, and hysteria in patients with rheumatoid arthritis reflect disease rather than psychological status.

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scales for Hypochondriasis, Depression, and Hysteria were studied in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The RA patients showed elevated scores on these scales, and these results are similar to those reported in each of 6 published studies. The elevated MMPI scale scores can be explained largely by 5 "disease-related" MMPI statements which met 2 criteria: they were among 11 of the 117 MMPI statements that two-thirds of rheumatologists predicted would be RA-associated; and RA patients and normal subjects differed significantly in their responses to these statements. The responses of RA patients and normal subjects to most other statements in the MMPI Hypochondriasis, Depression, and Hysteria scales were quite similar. In RA patients, responses to "disease-related" statements were correlated with results of measures of disease activity, which indicates that responses to these MMPI items reflect the severity, as well as the presence, of RA. These findings suggest that new criteria are needed for validation of the MMPI as a clinical tool for the recognition of hypochondriasis, depression, and hysteria in a patient who has RA.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗