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Biomedical subjects

C Watson

Publications and source records attributed to C Watson.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Derivation of a T cell line that is highly responsive to IL-4 and IL-2 (CT.4R) and of an IL-2 hyporesponsive mutant of that line (CT.4S).

The derivation of subline of CTLL cells that grow in IL-4/B cell stimulatory factor-1 is described. These cells, designated CT.4R cells, were obtained by extended culture of the CTLL line CT.EV in IL-4. CT.4R cells are highly responsive to both IL-4 and IL-2. Mutagenesis of CT.4R cells with ethylmethane sulfonate and selection for lack of expression of the p55 chain of the IL-2R was carried out and a clone was selected that was hyporesponsive to IL-2 but retained full sensitivity to IL-4. These cells, designated CT.4S cells, develop a very meager response to IL-2 at concentrations of 100 U/ml or less although that display vigorous responses to higher IL-2 concentrations. CT.4S cells give measurable responses to 3-10 U/ml (approximately 15-50 pg/ml) of IL-4. CT.4R and CT.4S cells fail to respond to IL-1, IL-3, IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage-CSF, granulocyte-CSF, CSF-1 or IFN-gamma. Thus, CT.4S cells can be used as a sensitive and specific bioassay for IL-4. ID CT.4R cells can be grown in either IL-4 or IL-2. When grown in IL-4, CT.4R cells express small amounts of the p55 chain of the IL-2R but rapidly upregulate their level of expression of p55 when IL-2 is added and rapidly diminish p55 expression when IL-2 is removed. Thus, although IL-2 and IL-4 both stimulate vigorous growth responses by CT.4R cells, they differ in their capacity to induce the expression of the p55 chain implying that their mechanisms of T cell stimulation are not identical.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1989

MS: a localized immune disease of the central nervous system.

The precise role of T cells in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains to be defined. No MS-specific antigen has been found. The autoimmune hypothesis for MS rests on immune changes seen in the spinal fluid and brain and on the demonstration, in an experimental animal model, that T cells raised to myelin basic protein transfer demyelination. In this review, Virginia Calder and colleagues focus on recent studies suggesting that in MS, the initial T-cell response occurs within the central nervous system and that the blood poorly reflects this immune activity. This contrasts with the animal model, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, where the initial immune response is peripheral.

Central Nervous System↗
PubMed1989

Visual field loss in migraine.

Ocular symptoms are a common, though transient, initial component of migraine. Although permanent visual loss has been reported in a limited number of patients, detailed evaluations of the visual field using current techniques have not been conducted. This study examined the prevalence of visual field loss in patients with migraine, using an automated static perimeter. All patients had at least a 2-year history of migraine (as diagnosed by a neurologist) and no ocular problems (by history or as determined by a visual screening examination consisting of acuity, intraocular pressure [IOP], and evaluation of the disc). The authors' results for 60 migraine patients showed that 21 (35%) had some form of visual field abnormality (P less than 0.05). The prevalence of visual field loss was greater with increasing age and duration of disease. These results suggest that visual field loss from migraine may be more common than previously considered. This information also may be useful in elucidating the relationship between migraine and certain vascular conditions of the eye.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Site of injury headache.

Wolff described three types of post-traumatic headaches (PTH). In type II PTH, the pain is located at the site of injury. Local soft tissue trauma and direct damage or entrapment of sensory nerves in the scar tissue are thought to be responsible for this type of headache. It is often difficult to study the neurological and autonomic changes in the scalp in these patients. We report here 8 patients with PTH in whom the site of injury was on the face thereby allowing us to evaluate the local neurological changes with greater accuracy. The results of this study corroborate Wolff's view of the pathogenesis of type II or "site of injury" PTH.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Ten-year experience with primary ocular 'reticulum cell sarcoma' (large cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma).

Fourteen patients with intraocular 'reticulum cell sarcoma' (non-Hodgkin's large cell lymphoma) ranging in age from 27 to 77 are presented. All patients had evidence of vitritis with 50% showing intraretinal and/or subretinal lesions and 21% having anterior uveitis. Five of the patients developed central nervous system lesions and subsequently died. Primary radiation therapy to the eyes and CNS appears to prevent spread of the disease and improve longevity. Chemotherapy improved survival in one patient with CNS spread of disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The IL-4 gene maps to chromosome 11, near the gene encoding IL-3.

IL-4/B cell stimulatory factor 1 (IL-4) is a potent mediator of the growth and differentiation of cells of most hemopoietic lineages. IL-4 is one of a number of lymphokines produced by T cells after activation with Ag or mitogen. In order to map the chromosomal location of the IL-4 gene, Chinese hamster-mouse somatic cell hybrids were used in Southern blot analyses with an IL-4 cDNA probe. These results suggested that the IL-4 gene was located on chromosome 11. In contrast, the gene encoding IL-2 was localized to either chromosome 1 or 3. The identification of a strain-specific Bgl II restriction enzyme polymorphism in the IL-4 gene was used to map the IL-4 gene to a position on mouse chromosome 11 within 1 centimorgan of the gene encoding IL-3.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Cortical cytoskeleton of giant moth eggs.

Unfertilized eggs of several species of giant moths contain a substantial cortical cytoskeleton. This structure is assembled during oogenesis, and contains actin as a major fibrillar component. The presence of actin was confirmed by gel electrophoresis and binding to phalloidin, DNase I, and a monoclonal antibody against cytoskeletal actin. Several lines of evidence suggest that the fat body is a source of the actin in the oocyte and that the transport and acquisition of actin by the ovary are similar to the mechanism of vitellogenin acquisition. A possible role for the cortical cytoskeleton in directing early embryogenesis is discussed.

Actins↗
PubMed1988

A comparison of audiometric performance and complications of T tubes and Shepard grommets.

Since T tubes were introduced in 1972 their use in cases of chronic Eustachian-tubal insufficiency has been reported on several occasions, (Goode, 1973, 1983; Rothera and Grant, 1985). T tubes remain in-situ for longer than grommets, and they are frequently used in cases where multiple grommet insertions have failed to provide adequate middle ear ventilation. They have also been used when prolonged Eustachian-tubal insufficiency is anticipated, for instance in children with cleft palate. Shepard grommets continue to be the most commonly used type of ventilating tube for short-term use and a significant proportion of children with glue ear require repeated insertions. In an attempt to reduce the need for repeated myringotomy, and also to reduce the need for adenoidectomy in children with glue ear, it has been the recent practice of one Consultant (K.S.M.) to use T tubes routinely in all cases of glue ear. This study analyses the audiometric performance and complications of 32 children (60 ears) who underwent myringotomy and insertion of T tubes for glue ear. In all cases no previous treatment for glue ear had been undertaken. The results are compared with those of a control group who underwent myringotomy with insertion of Shepard grommets and adenoidectomy as a first-line treatment.

Audiometry↗
PubMed1988

Combined sonographic-pathologic surveillance in elective first-trimester termination of pregnancy.

In this study, we attempted to develop a surveillance protocol for elective first-trimester termination to see whether unsuspected ectopic pregnancy could be detected earlier, and to identify those patients with unsuspected second-trimester pregnancies that could be terminated more safely in the hospital. Two hundred fifty consecutive patients requesting elective termination were studied prospectively. All were 12 weeks or less by last menstrual period, had positive urinary pregnancy tests, and had no history of vaginal bleeding. All patients had ultrasound screening before curettage. Immediately after curettage, a "modified" gross pathologic examination (3X magnification) was also performed on unstained curettage material. The sonographic, operative, and pathologic findings were all correlated. Such screening identified four patients with unruptured ectopic pregnancies, who were operated on the same day as the curettage. In addition, four patients, who were actually in the second trimester but had inaccurate dates, were identified and referred to hospital for appropriate methods of termination. We conclude that such surveillance may reduce morbidity in elective terminations and more rapidly identify unsuspected ectopic pregnancies.

Abortion, Legal↗
PubMed1988

Very early pregnancy detection with endovaginal ultrasound.

There are many situations in which the earliest possible detection of an intrauterine pregnancy would enhance clinical management. Current radioimmunoassays for hCG can detect pregnancy as early as eight to 12 days post-conception. The ability to document an intrauterine pregnancy with ultrasound has lagged behind by two to three weeks. New high-frequency endovaginal transducers offer the promise of narrowing this gap. This study was undertaken prospectively on 235 patients all amenorrheic for seven weeks or less and requesting either pregnancy testing or termination. All had endovaginal ultrasound scans. We obtained hCG levels when no sac was seen or when the sac was less than 1.0 cm (initial experience revealed that all sacs over 1.0 cm were associated with hCG levels over 6000 mIU/mL) (International Reference Preparation). Ultrasound findings were correlated with pathology specimens and/or hCG levels where appropriate. Results indicated that normal pregnancies can be imaged when: 1) The sac is greater than 0.4 cm; 2) hCG is greater than 1025 mIU/mL (International Reference Preparation); and 3) the uterus is normal with a homogeneous echo pattern. This was not true in three of our cases with diffuse myomatous changes or a coexisting intrauterine device.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗
PubMed1987

Neurologic outcome following pediatric resuscitation.

This study reports the survival rate and short-term neurologic outcome of children who sustained cardiac arrests at Henrietta Egleston Hospital for Children, a pediatric teaching hospital. A commonly held belief in pediatric centers has been that children tolerate the insult of cardiac arrest better than adults. Cardiac arrest was defined as the need for external or internal cardiac compressions. Critical care nurses specially trained for this project collected the arrest data and performed the serial neurological exams. Results showed that despite a low overall survival rate, neurological outcome appears to be good after the arrest even in patients who expire prior to discharge. Major neurologic deficits, such as hemiplegia and severe developmental delay, do not occur. Nursing implications of the study, which is in its second year, are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

The intermediate filament cytoskeleton of macrophages.

This study characterizes two- and three-dimensional ultrastructure and surface topography of polymerized networks of intermediate filaments (IF) isolated from mouse peritoneal macrophages. Isolated IF bound to monoclonal anti-IF antibodies in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Immunogold labeling of IF with specific antibodies revealed that epitopes are distributed along filaments particularly at junctions where filaments interconnect. Networks of IF, viewed by scanning electron microscopy, organized as ropelike groups of interconnecting filaments which swirl and encircle each other to form three-dimensional lattices containing ellipsoidal-, circular-, and vacuole-shaped cavities. Cavity diameters were similar in size to organelles and vacuoles; diameters were grouped as small (12-288 nm), medium (0.3-1.7 micron), and large (2-3 micron). The walls of the cavities appeared as beaded structures with alternating globular and linear regions. Linear regions were 14 nm. Repeat distances taken from the central axis of globular regions were 23-27 nm. The lattice organization of IF observed in vitro was similar to images seen in vivo in Triton-insoluble cytoskeletons immunofluorescently labeled with specific antibodies. In whole cells processed for TEM, swirling bundles of IF were found encircling membranous vacuoles. Based on the lattice architecture of IF, cavity dimensions, and IF location, we postulate that intermediate filaments may function in the mechanical and spatial distribution of vacuoles in the cell cytoplasm.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

In vitro translation of B-cell stimulatory factor-1 in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

B-cell stimulatory factor-1 (BSF-1) can be translated in vitro in Xenopus laevis oocytes. This activity is blocked by an antibody to BSF-1. The RNA species coding for BSF-1 activity sediments of approximately 8-9S and is separable from RNA coding for interleukin-2 activity which sediments at approximately 11.5S. Finally, the fact that BSF-1 can be translated in vitro confirms that functions attributed to BSF-1 do not depend on contamination with other biologically active molecules such as phorbol myristate acetate.

Animals↗