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Biomedical subjects

B S Kelly

Publications and source records attributed to B S Kelly.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Split liver transplantation.

Seventy-five thousand Americans develop organ failure each year. Fifteen percent of those on the list for transplantation die while waiting. Several possible mechanisms to expand the organ pool are being pursued including the use of extended criteria donors, living donation, and split deceased donor transplants. Cadaveric organ splitting results from improved understanding of the surgical anatomy of the liver derived from Couinaud. Early efforts focused on reduced-liver transplantation (RLT) reported by both Bismuth and Broelsch in the mid-1980s. These techniques were soon modified to create both a left lateral segment graft appropriate for a pediatric recipient and a right trisegment for an appropriately sized adult. Techniques of split liver transplantation (SLT) were also modified to create living donor liver transplantation. Pichlmayr and Bismuth reported successful split liver transplantation in 1989 and Emond reported a larger series of nine split procedures in 1990. Broelsch and Busuttil described a technical modification in which the split was performed in situ at the donor institution with surgical division completed in the heart beating cadaveric donor. In situ splitting reduces cold ischemia, simplifies identification of biliary and vascular structures, and reduces reperfusion hemorrhage. However, in situ splits require specialized skills, prolonged operating room time, and increased logistical coordination at the donor institution. At UCLA over 120 in situ splits have been performed and this technique is the default when an optimal donor is available. Split liver transplantation now accounts for 10% of adult transplantations at UCLA and 40% of pediatric transplantations.

Adult↗

Venous neointimal hyperplasia in polytetrafluoroethylene dialysis grafts.

BACKGROUND: Vascular access dysfunction is the most important cause of morbidity and hospitalization in the hemodialysis population in the United States at a cost of $1 billion per annum. Venous neointimal hyperplasia (VNH) characterized by stenosis and subsequent thrombosis accounts for the overwhelming majority of pathology resulting in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) dialysis graft failure. Despite the magnitude of the problem and the enormity of the cost ($1 billion), there are currently no effective therapies for the prevention or treatment of venous neointimal hyperplasia in PTFE dialysis grafts. METHODS: Tissue samples were collected from the graft-vein anastomosis of stenotic PTFE grafts during surgical revision. Specimens were graded using standard light microscopy and immunohistochemistry for the magnitude of neointimal hyperplasia and for the expression of specific cell types, cytokines, and matrix proteins. RESULTS: VNH was characterized by the (1) presence of smooth muscle cells/myofibroblasts, (2) accumulation of extracellular matrix components, (3) angiogenesis within the neointima and adventitia, and (4) presence of an active macrophage cell layer lining the PTFE graft material. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were expressed by smooth muscle cells/myofibroblasts within the venous neointima, by macrophages lining both sides of the PTFE graft, and by vessels within the neointima and adventitia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that macrophages, specific cytokines (bFGF, PDGF, and VEGF), and angiogenesis within the neointima and adventitia are likely to contribute to the pathogenesis of VNH in PTFE dialysis grafts. Interventions aimed at these specific mediators and processes may be successful in reducing the very significant human and economic costs of vascular access dysfunction.

Actins↗

A single center experience with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Few large Western series on cholangiocarcinoma have been reported in the literature. We reviewed 40 consecutive cases of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas referred to a single center. METHODS: From 1992 until 2000, 40 patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas were evaluated. The charts of all patients were reviewed to evaluate predictors of survival. Survival was calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Forty patients were referred for management of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas. Tumors were located in the distal common duct in 3 (7.5%), mid duct in 5 (12.5%), and at the bifurcation in 32 (80%). Surgical resection was attempted in 32 (80%) patients and was curative in 9 (22.5%), palliative in 11 (27.5%), and diagnostic in 12 (30%). Mean survival for all patients was 21.1 +/- 5.1 months and on the basis of tumor stage was 71.4 +/- 15.4, 39.7 +/- 10.6, 19.2 +/- 2.9, 3.9 +/- 1.8, and 6.9 +/- 1.3 months for stages I, II, III, IVA, and IVB, respectively. Mean survival was 51.1 +/- 13.5 months versus 10 +/- 1.8 months in those with curative and noncurative resections, respectively. The presence of a portal mass was associated with a reduction in mean survival from 28.4 +/- 7.2 months to 6.0 +/- 1.9 months. CONCLUSIONS: Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma remains a dismal disease with only a 22.5% chance of a curative surgical resection, achieving a 5-year survival rate of 44.4%. Only the absence of a portal mass was predictive of a possible curative resection and long-term survival.

Bile Duct Neoplasms↗

Predicted prostate specific antigen results using transrectal ultrasound gland volume. Differentiation of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.

METHODS: The diagnostic performance of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) gland volume and prostate specific antigen (PSA) results were evaluated in 204 men consecutively scheduled to undergo transurethral prostatic resection (TUR). RESULTS: Nonpalpable prostate cancer was detected by TRUS alone in 18% (29 of 161) and by TUR alone in 9% (14/161), for an overall cancer incidence of 27%. A predicted PSA value (TRUS gland volume x 0.20 ng/ml/g = polyclonal PSA) was used for comparison with serum PSA for each patient. TRUS positive predictive value improved from 52% to 86% when serum PSA exceeded the predicted value. The specificity and positive predictive value of PSA at 2.5 ng/ml were 23% and 37%, respectively, which increased to 88% and 72%, respectively, when serum PSA exceeded the predicted value. CONCLUSIONS: Predicted PSA values produce decision levels near the 95th percentile for each patient and assist individual biopsy decisions better than grouped gland volume ranges. Wider application of TRUS and PSA in any clinical setting or early detection program is now possible.

Aged↗

Determination of prostate gland volume by transrectal ultrasound: correlation with radical prostatectomy specimens.

Seventy six patients underwent transrectal ultrasound examination of the prostate prior to radical prostatectomy. All radical specimens were weighed and measured when freshly excised. Corresponding measurements calculated using transrectal ultrasound dimensions were retrospectively compared with those of the freshly excised glands. Estimation of gland volume by ultrasound measurement, utilizing the prolate ellipse formula [Width x Height x Length) x 0.70 was applied to a control group of 19 patients, and a close correlation (r = 0.77) between ultrasound estimated volume and actual weight was shown. A modified prolate ellipse formula, using the factor of 0.70, appears to be a more reliable means of estimating gland volume with transrectal ultrasound than the original formula [Width x Height x Length) x 0.523).

Aged↗

Tumour-associated antigens in lung cancer: the possibility for a serologic assay.

Methods were developed to obtain a purified tumour-associated antigen from squamous cell bronchogenic carcinoma of humans. From the preparation a highly specific antitumour antiserum was produced in rabbits. The antiserum was applied to an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that subsequently was used as a serologic test for lung cancer. Serum obtained preoperatively from patients with stage I lung cancer was found to be inhibitory in the assay system when compared with serum from healthy individuals.

Animals↗

Detection of tumour-associated antigens in human bronchogenic carcinoma by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed in which a tumour-specific component of human squamous-cell carcinoma of the lung could be readily detected using an absorbed rabbit antiserum. This antiserum did not react with equivalent preparations made from pooled normal lung tissue. In a study using the coded sera from normal individuals and preoperative patients subsequently shown to have Stage I bronchogenic carcinoma of various histological types, we found that the patients' sera effectively inhibited the reaction between the rabbit antiserum and the partially purified tumour antigen, whereas the serum from normal individuals did not.

Antibody Specificity↗

Purification of a protein associated with human bronchogenic squamous-cell carcinoma.

A heteroantiserum raised in rabbits to extracts of human squamous-cell carcinoma of the lung which exhibited marked tumour specificity was used to monitor the fractionation and isolation of a tumour-associated component of the extract. KC1 extracts of pools of both normal lung and bronchogenic squamous-cell carcinoma were subjected to a series of purification steps involving acid precipitation, salting out, DEAE chromatography and preparative polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. At each stage, fractions were tested for their ability to react in the complement-fixation assay with the antiserum. A protein was ultimately isolated which did not appear to be present at detectable levels in an equivalent fraction of normal lung extract, reacted with the heteroantiserum, and appeared to be present in all extracts of squamous-cell carcinoma.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

The use of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection and quantification of specific antibody from cell cultures.

The solid phase enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been used to quantify anti-keyhole limpet haemocyanin (anti-KLH) antibody in the serum of KLH-immune C57Bl/6 mice. When spleen cells from immune mice were cultured overnight in ELISA microtitre wells to which KLH had been adsorbed it was found that easily quantifiable amounts of anti-KLH antibody were synthesized and were detectable. It was found further that spleen cells from KLH-primed mice, when cultured in vitro in the presence of KLH, transferred to KLH-labelled ELISA plates, and cultured overnight, also produced detectable levels of antibody. Levels of antibody were detectable only after 4 and 5 days of in vitro stimulation. A comparison was made between detectable numbers of plaque forming cells to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in SRBC primed CBA mice and levels of antibody detected by the ELISA procedure. It was found that the sensitivities of the two tests were comparable. The applications of this technique to the study of in vitro antibody synthesis using soluble antigens are discussed.

Animals↗

Oral arginine improves blood pressure in renal transplant and hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension in kidney transplant (KT) patients may result from attenuated whole-body nitric oxide (NO) content and abnormal NO-mediated vasodilation. Increasing NO bioavailability with L-arginine (ARG) could theoretically restore the NO-mediated vasodilatory response and lower blood pressure. METHODS: In a prospective pilot study, 6 normotensive volunteers and 10 KT patients received oral supplements of ARG (9.0 g/d) for 9 days, then 18.0 g/d for 9 more days. Six hemodialysis (HD) and 4 peritoneal dialysis patients received the same dose for 14 days. Five KT patients received 30 mL/d of canola oil (CanO) in addition to ARG. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, creatinine clearance (CCr), and serum creatinine (Cr) were measured at baseline, day 9, and day 18. In a subsequent study, 20 hypertensive KT patients with stable but abnormal renal function were randomized in a crossover study to start ARG-only or ARG+CanO supplements for two 2-month periods with an intervening month of no supplementation. SBP, DBP, CCr, and Cr were measured monthly for 7 months. RESULTS: In the pilot study, ARG reduced the SBP in HD patients from 171.5 +/- 7.5 mmHg (baseline) to 142.8 +/- 8.3 mmHg (p = .028). In the crossover study, SBP was reduced from baseline (155.9 +/- 5.0 mmHg), after the first 2 months (143.2 +/- 3.2 mmHg; p = .03) and subsequent 2 months (143.3 +/- 2.5 mmHg; p = .014) of supplementation. DBP was also reduced after supplementation in both studies. CanO had no effect on blood pressure. Renal function did not change. CONCLUSIONS: Oral preparations of ARG (+/-CanO) were well tolerated for up to 60 consecutive days and had favorable effects on SBP and DBP in hypertensive KT and HD patients.

Adult↗