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Biomedical subjects

W M Gooch

Publications and source records attributed to W M Gooch.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Developmental changes in the mongrel canine brain during postnatal life.

Normal values for changes in brain growth, chemical composition and morphologic features of the mongrel dog between birth and maturity were established in studies of 43 puppies between birth and 6 months of age and 3 adult dogs. Brain weight in puppies increased as the sodium, potassium and chloride contents of brain decreased between birth and 60 days; values similar to the adult were observed in puppies at 3 to 6 months of age. The concentrations of sodium and chloride decreased while the concentration of potassium increased in brain water between birth and 60 days, but the sum of sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations in brain water, an index of brain osmolality, did not change during postnatal development. Total protein (mg/g dry brain) did not change, but DNA (mg/g dry brain) decreased with age; ratios of total protein:DNA increased from birth and were maximal at 90 days. Morphologic changes in the canine brain were characterized by an extensive, densely cellular subependymal germinal zone at birth which, although diminished and focally discontinuous, was present at 30 days and had disappeared by 60 days of age. The gross appearance and histologic changes observed in the mongrel canine brain observed between 1 and 60 days of age are similar to changes described for the human brain between 28 and 40 weeks gestation. We conclude that the mongrel canine brain is a suitable model for studying mechanisms of injury to the neonatal human brain.

Animals↗

Comparison of micro-ID and API 20E in rapid identification of Enterobacteriaceae.

The effectiveness of Micro-ID and API 20E as same-day identification systems for Enterobacteriaceae was evaluated in comparison with conventional identification by using 315 clinical isolates and 90 stock strains. The API 20E system was heavily inoculated according to manufacturer's recommendations for same-day identification. We found that 83 and 81% of isolates provided adequate inocula for Micro-ID and API 20E, respectively, and purity of the heavy inocula was not a problem with either system. Overall agreement with conventional identification at genus and species levels was 93.5% with Micro-ID and 90.2% with API 20E. However, when Klebsiella pneumoniae and K. oxytoca were considered as a single species and Proteus morganii was equated with Morganella morganii, agreement was 95.8 and 90.5%, respectively. Only 83.% of isolates were identified on the day of inoculation by API 20E, in contrast to 94.3% with Micro-ID. The remaining isolates required supplementary overnight testing. Provisional (low selectivity) determinations were constant with conventional identification with 49.3% of isolates with API 20E and 82.6% with Micro-ID. Telephone consultations with the manufacturers to resolve unprinted octal codes required a maximum of 15 min with Micro-ID and from 2 to greater than 48 h with API 20E.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

Protean manifestations of neonatal hyperinsulinism.

Endogenous hyperinsulinism is the leading cause of persistent hypoglycemia in children under one year of age. Classically, the symptoms of neonatal hypoglycemia have been referable to central nervous system dysfunction, with seizures described in nearly all patients. Our experience with eight neonates emphasizes the protean manifestations of this disease. One patient presented with a maternal history of diuretic use, and developed asymptomatic hyperinsulinism documented by provocative testing. The hyperinsulinism cleared after two weeks of medical therapy. This transient hyperinsulinism may have been secondary to use of a thiazide-type diuretic. A second patient presented, as a neonate, with a large abdominal mass but no seizure activity. Exploratory laparotomy revealed an 11 x 5 x 3 cm pancreatic tumor, which required splenectomy, 60% gastrectomy and duodenectomy for removal. Histologic examination demonstrated an insulin-secreting hamartoma. A third patient died suddenly without prior symptoms, and was found to have striking nesidioblastosis on pathologic examination. One infant presented with absence of the abdominal musculature (prune belly syndrome) and features of the Beck-with-Wiedeman syndrome, as well as profound hypoglycemia. Only three patients had seizures, and an additional patient had jitteriness. Pathologic diagnoses were: nesidioblastosis (n = 2); islet cell hyperplasia (n = 1); adenoma (n = 1); hamartoma (n = 1); transient hyperinsulinism (n = 1). One patient's pancreas showed areas of nesidioblastosis, islet cell hyperplasia, and a discrete adenoma in the region of the common bile duct. Careful diagnostic testing is essential in these patients, inasmuch as hypoglycemia is poorly tolerated by neonates and infants. Using the diagnostic algorithm presented here, all patients' endogenous hyperinsulinism was documented quickly and efficiently. Recognition of the broad spectrum of symptoms with which these patients may present is essential if serious neurologic sequelae are to be avoided.

Chlorthalidone↗

Cardiac manifestations of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

An increasing incidence of Rocky Mountain spotted fever is being noted across the United States. From 1955 to 1978 80 children with this disease were seen in a children's hospital. Autopsies were performed in six of the nine fatal cases, and cardiac lesions were seen in each. Multifocal myocarditis with petechiae was present in four cases, and in two of them there were areas of myocardial necrosis. In four of the necropsied cases there were electrocardiographic changes and cardiac enlargement on chest roentgenogram. Among survivors five patients manifested at least one cardiac abnormality. ST-T changes were noted in two patients, atrioventricular conduction disturbance in two, and severe left ventricular hypertrophy in one patient. Cardiomegaly was observed in three patients, and one had severe cardiac failure that responded to medical management. Cardiac involvement is frequently present in Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and close observation seems to be warranted.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of a multitest system for rapid identification of Salmonella and Shigella.

The ability of Micro-ID, a multitest system for rapid (four hour) identification of Enterobacteriaceae, to identify Salmonella and Shigella was evaluated. Micro-ID, API 20E and a battery of tubed media consisting of triple sugar-iron agar, Christensen's urea agar, and Moeller's lysine decarboxylase medium were used to study 516 lactose nonfermenting strains of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from 500 consecutive pediatric stool specimens. Fifty-six of the isolates were Salmonella, and 21 were Shigella. Micro-ID correctly identified all isolates of Shigella and all but one isolate of Salmonella, whereas the conventional screening media failed to detect seven isolates of Salmonella and two isolates of Shigella. The false-positive rates were 1% and 20% for Micro-ID and the conventional battery, respectively. Use of Micro-ID as a substitute for conventional screening media for lactose nonfermenting stool isolates provides reliable presumptive idenfication of Salmonella and Shigella within four hours.

Enterobacteriaceae↗

Pharmacokinetics of nafcillin in infants with low birth weights.

The pharmacokinetics of nafcillin were studied in 13 premature neonates with suspected sepsis. The mean weight of the infants studied was 1.19 kg (range, 0.73 to 2.21 kg). Infants less than 7 days of age were given 100 mg of nafcillin per kg per 24 h (every 12 h), and infants more than 7 days of age were given 100 mg of nafcillin per kg per 24 h (every 8 h). Blood samples were obtained before the first dose on day 3 of therapy and at 0.5, 1.5, 3, and 6 h thereafter. Nafcillin concentrations were measured by a microbiological assay. A mean volume of distribution of 326 ml/kg and an elimination rate constant of 0.2040 h-1 were obtained in 10 patients less than 21 days of age. Three patients from 24 to 68 days of age had a mean volume of distribution of 303 ml/min and a mean elimination rate constant of 0.3944 h-1 (P less than 0.05). These data suggest that doses of nafcillin lower than those currently recommended may be adequate to achieve desired peak plasma levels of approximately 75 microgram/ml in infants with low birth weights.

Age Factors↗

Partial monosomy and partial trisomy for different segments of chromosome 13 in several individuals of the same family.

A reciprocal translocation, 46,XX,rcp(13;17)(q13;p13), was found to be segregating in a family. Two children have duplication of the distal portion of the long arm of chromosome 13, 46,XX,der(17),rcp(13;17)(q13;p13)mat. They are mentally retarded, have long philtra and postaxial hexadactyly. A maternal half-uncle has a duplication of the short arm and proximal portion of the long arm of chromosome 13, 47,XY,+der(13),rcp (13;17)(q13;p13)mat. He is mentally retarded, has scalp and skull defects and a very short philtrum. A fetus was found, on analysis of amniotic fluid cells, to have a deletion of the distal portion of the long arm of chromosome 13, 46,XX,der,(13),rcp(13;17)(q13;p13)mat. The fetus had multiple internal abnormalities and only 4 fingers on each hand.

Adult↗