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D Barr

Publications and source records attributed to D Barr.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Use of ultrasound and cystoscopically guided pancreatic allograft biopsies and transabdominal renal allograft biopsies: safety and efficacy in kidney-pancreas transplant recipients.

The use of allograft biopsies to guide treatment after solid organ transplantation is a valuable tool in the detection and treatment of rejection. Prior development and use of the cystoscopically guided pancreatic allograft biopsy have allowed for more accurate and timely diagnosis of pancreatic allograft dysfunction, possibly contributing to our 1-year pancreas graft, renal allograft and patient survival rates of 87.1%, 88.5% and 96.8%, respectively. We reviewed our experience, examining efficacy and complication rates of pancreas and kidney biopsies in 31 cadaveric pancreas or combined kidney and pancreas transplants performed between June 1990 and February 1992 with at least 1 year of followup. There were 94 pancreas, 54 kidney and 53 duodenal mucosal biopsies in 29 evaluable patients. This biopsy technique uses a 24.5F side-viewing nephroscope to view the cystoduodenostomy, with the duodenum acting as a portal for biopsy needles into the pancreas. Pancreatic tissue is obtained with either an 18 gauge, 500 mm. Menghini aspiration/core needle or an 18 gauge, 500 mm. Roth core needle. Percutaneous renal allograft biopsies are performed independently or simultaneously with the pancreas biopsies using a 16 gauge spring loaded needle. Pancreas biopsies were prompted by clinical indications of rejection (decreased urinary amylase, increased serum amylase or increased serum creatinine) or by protocol (10, 21 and 40 days postoperatively). Among the biopsies 30% were required by protocol, of which 10 (36%) revealed abnormal pathological findings and 5 (18%) showed evidence of occult cellular rejection. Renal biopsies demonstrated rejection in 69% of the cases. Of simultaneous pancreas/kidney biopsies 33% revealed concomitant rejection. A total of 88 Menghini needles with 170 passes was used in 73 biopsy attempts, yielding 126 tissue cores with a 16% complication rate. A total of 41 Roth needles was used with 73 passes in 34 biopsy attempts, yielding 55 tissue cores with a complication rate of 21%. Complications included self-limited bleeding from the biopsy site in 13% of the cases, bleeding requiring clot evacuation and fulguration in 1% and asymptomatic hyperamylasemia in 12%. Renal biopsy complications included 1 arteriovenous fistula (2%). We conclude that ultrasound and cystoscopically guided pancreatic allograft biopsy and percutaneous renal allograft biopsies are safe and essential methods of obtaining tissue for histological diagnosis without serious sequelae. The Menghini and Roth needles in cystoscopically guided pancreatic allograft biopsy have similar yield and complication rates in obtaining pancreatic tissue, although they require different performance techniques. In some cases both needles are necessary and are complementary in obtaining adequate tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Abdomen↗

Hepatic arterial anatomy in transplantation candidates: evaluation with three-dimensional CT arteriography.

PURPOSE: To assess the utility of three-dimensional (3D) hepatic helical computed tomographic (CT) arteriography as a replacement for conventional angiography in the evaluation of the arterial anatomy of patients being considered for liver transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional CT arteriograms were obtained in 115 patients. Seventeen patients also underwent conventional angiography, and 16 patients who did not undergo angiography underwent hepatic transplantation. RESULTS: Among the 3D CT arteriograms, 106 delineated the major arteries that supplied the liver. Nine were considered technical failures. In the 17 patients with angiographic correlation, there was only one marked disagreement with 3D CT arteriography. In the 16 patients with surgical correlation, no marked discrepancies were found. CONCLUSION: In transplantation candidates, successful 3D CT arteriography was as accurate as angiography in the assessment of hepatic arterial anatomy. It was also safer, more convenient, and more easily tolerated. Conventional CT plus 3D CT arteriography was only 25% as expensive as the cost of conventional CT and conventional angiography.

Adult↗

Recommended biocontainment features for research and diagnostic facilities where animal pathogens are used. First International Veterinary Biosafety Workshop.

Recommendations are presented for the minimum structural components, special utilities, installations, and other design and operational features which define a microbiologically-secure animal containment facility. These biocontainment parameters are expected to enable the safe housing and handling of livestock and poultry infected with pathogenic agents. Physical testing and certification requirements for commissioning such facilities are described. Such a facility will minimise personnel exposure to infectious agents, limit cross-contamination between experiments, minimise horizontal transmission between research animals, and reduce the likelihood of pathogenic agents being released to the outside environment.

Animals↗

Candidiasis at ICAAC.

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AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Strain related variations in adenovirally mediated transgene expression from mouse hepatocytes in vivo: comparisons between immunocompetent and immunodeficient inbred strains.

High efficiency gene transfer and gene expression in hepatocytes in vivo can be achieved using recombinant adenoviral vectors. However, the persistence of gene expression in different experimental animal models has been variable. To determine if similar differences could be observed in a single species, persistence of gene expression was studied in inbred strains of mice using a recombinant adenoviral vector that expresses human alpha 1-antitrypsin. Marked variability in the persistence of gene expression ranging from several weeks (C3H/HeJ and Balb/c) to more than 3 months [C57Bl/6, B10.A(2R) and B10.BR] was observed when this vector was transduced in different strains of inbred mice. This variability did not correlate with H-2 type. To evaluate the role of T and B cell immunity in the persistence of gene expression, congenic C3H-scid and Balb/c-scid mice were studied and found to have indefinite gene expression from transduced hepatocytes. These animals unlike their immunocompetent counter-parts were able to undergo secondary transduction of hepatocytes with a different recombinant adenoviral vector. These findings suggest that as yet unidentified genetic loci influence the persistence of adenovirus-mediated hepatic gene expression in vivo, and these effects are mediated at least in part, by the antigen specific immune system.

Adenoviridae↗

Cyclic interdigestive pancreatic exocrine secretion: is it mediated by neural or hormonal mechanisms?

Cyclic interdigestive exocrine pancreatic secretion and duodenal motility are closely linked. However, the mechanisms controlling this association are not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine whether a neural or hormonal mechanism controls the temporal association of interdigestive secretion and duodenal motility. In five dogs, the pancreas was autotransplanted to the pelvis with anastomosis of the pancreatic duct orifice to the bladder. Electrodes were positioned to monitor motility patterns of the in situ duodenum. After 10 days, dogs were studied on four occasions during fasting. Pancreatic output of amylase activity continued to cycle, but the periodicity of enzyme peaks (mean +/- SE) was different from the period of the duodenal migrating motor complex (MMC) (60 +/- 3 vs. 125 +/- 7 minutes; P less than 0.05). When grouped according to phase of duodenal MMC, amylase output per 10 minutes during phase I was significantly less than the outputs during phase II or III (135 +/- 52, 214 +/- 78, and 228 +/- 73 x 10(3) U; P less than 0.05). However, there was no temporal relationship of the cyclic output of amylase to duodenal phase III. No differences were found when amylase output was analyzed for the 30 minutes before phase III compared with the 30 minutes after phase III (687 +/- 253 vs. 378 +/- 110 x 10(3) U; P greater than 0.05). Plasma motilin concentrations varied with duodenal MMC, but no relationship existed between plasma motilin or plasma pancreatic polypeptide and peaks in amylase output. This study suggests that the close temporal coordination of interdigestive pancreatic exocrine secretion and duodenal motility is controlled primarily by a neural mechanism.

Amylases↗

The effect of somatostatin 201-995 on the early course of porcine pancreaticoduodenal allotransplantation.

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of somatostatin 201-995 (SMS) on the maintenance dose of intravenous cyclosporine and on graft blood flow, exocrine secretion, and rejection after porcine pancreaticoduodenal allotransplantation (PDA). For seven days, 12 pigs (6 control, 6 SMS-treated) were studied to determine the effects of SMS on serum CsA concentrations. Twenty-six pigs (14 control, 12 SMS) with streptozocin-induced diabetes underwent PDA. Blood flow was measured through graft celiac and superior mesenteric arteries 15 and 60 min after reperfusion. SMS (75 micrograms s.c.) was given after the 15-min blood-flow measurement in the SMS group. Sixteen pigs (8 control, 8 SMS) were followed postoperatively with daily measurements of serum glucose and amylase concentrations, and urine amylase and trypsin activities. All pigs were immunosuppressed with azathioprine, prednisone, and i.v. CsA. SMS pigs also received SMS (75 micrograms s.c.) every 8 hr. SMS had no effect on maintenance dose of CsA or on serum amylase, urine amylase, or urine trypsin activities. Mean days to rejection were also not affected. Intraoperative graft blood flow was significantly decreased by SMS, but incidence of graft thrombosis was unchanged. These results suggest that in the porcine PDA model, SMS does not appear to inhibit exocrine secretion and potentially may adversely affect the early course of PDA by decreasing graft blood flow.

Animals↗

Differential diagnosis of hypoamylasuria in pancreas allograft recipients with urinary exocrine drainage.

We have studied the histopathologic correlates of a significantly decreased urinary amylase excretion rate (UAER) to determine its reliability in predicting the presence of cellular rejection within pancreas allografts drained via a duodenocystostomy. Significant hypoamylasuria in pancreas allograft recipients was defined as a diminution of greater than 50% in UAER sustained for greater than 36 hr and not associated with a decrease in serum amylase activity. We observed 18 such episodes of hypoamylasuria in 13 of 18 patients receiving pancreas allografts. Pancreaticoduodenal material was obtained during 11 of these episodes, one attempt failed, and for the remaining 6 episodes we obtained 3 renal allograft biopsy specimens. Histopathologic examination of the 14 specimens revealed cellular rejection in 9 (64%), fibrosis in 2 (14%), enzymatic necrosis in 1 (7%), cytomegaloviral pancreatitis in 1 (7%), and no abnormal features in 1 (7%). During these 14 episodes, a genetically identical renal allograft was present for 11 and showed signs of dysfunction in 9; however, the pancreatic histologic features suggested rejection in only 7 of the 9. Thus even the combination of hypoamylasuria and renal dysfunction in recipients of genetically identical organs was not fully reliable in predicting pancreas allograft rejection. In addition, the interval between organ implantation and onset of hypoamylasuria did not predict the histologic diagnosis. As with other solid-organ allografts, biopsy is a useful adjuvant for determining patient management in the presence of organ dysfunction.

Amylases↗

Evidence that the soluble interleukin 2 receptor level may determine the optimal time for cystoscopically-directed biopsy in pancreaticoduodenal allograft recipients.

In 18 consecutive pancreaticoduodenal allograft recipients (15 combined kidney/pancreas and 3 pancreas only after a prior successful kidney transplantation) operated on between December 1987 and February 1989, we studied the soluble interleukin 2 receptor (SIL-2R) level over time. All pancreaticoduodenal allografts were transplanted with exocrine drainage via a duodenocystostomy that allowed for cystoscopically directed needle biopsies of the pancreas. Of these 18 recipients, at 6 weeks after transplantation, 6 had had no rejection episodes or cytomegalovirus disease (control group), an acute allograft rejection had developed in 7, CMV disease developed in 4, and both rejection and CMV disease developed in 1 by 12 days after transplantation. SIL-2R level increased in all patients during immunosuppressive induction therapy (preoperative mean +/- SE, 1637 +/- 284 U/mL; maximum, 4367 +/- 687 U/mL). After induction therapy, the mean was 2768 +/- 432 U/mL. In all 6 recipients in the control group, SIL-2R level continued to decrease. However, SIL-2R level was significantly higher compared with controls, in those who had CMV disease (levels were increased at a mean of 7 days before diagnosis of CMV disease) and in those who had acute rejection episodes (levels were increased a mean of 7 days before the clinical diagnosis of rejection). Factors that did not cause an increase in SIL-2R level included acute pancreatitis, wound infection, operative procedures, and CsA nephrotoxicity. SIL-2R level can be useful for monitoring pancreaticoduodenal allograft recipients. Increases predict impending rejection or CMV disease, prior to the onset of organ dysfunction. When SIL-2R level increases, we recommend cultures of blood and urine to exclude CMV and pancreaticoduodenal allograft biopsy to confirm early rejection prior to the initiation of potentially dangerous antirejection therapy.

Biopsy↗

Pattern of postprandial carbohydrate metabolism and effects of portal and peripheral insulin delivery.

The importance of portal insulin delivery in the regulation of postprandial carbohydrate metabolism is uncertain. To address this question, three groups of dogs were studied: one group in which pancreatic venous drainage was transected and reanastomosed (portal insulin delivery), one in which the pancreatic drainage was transected and anastomosed to the inferior vena cava (peripheral insulin delivery), and one that received only a sham operation. Plasma insulin was greater (P less than 0.05) during peripheral insulin delivery than in either the portal or sham groups, respectively, before and after meal ingestion. On the other hand, C-peptide concentrations did not differ between groups, resulting in a higher (P less than 0.001) insulin to C-peptide ratio in the peripheral group. This indicated that the hyperinsulinemia in the peripheral group was due to decreased insulin clearance rather than increased insulin secretion. Isotopically determined splanchnic uptake of ingested glucose, postprandial suppression of hepatic glucose release, incorporation of CO2 into glucose (a qualitative measure of gluconeogenesis), and total-body glucose uptake were virtually identical in all groups. Similarly, plasma lipid, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and lactate concentrations did not differ between groups. Our data indicate that, despite differences in systemic insulin concentration, portal and peripheral insulin delivery comparably regulate hepatic and extrahepatic carbohydrate metabolism after meal ingestion.

Animals↗

A cystoscopically directed biopsy technique developed in canine pancreaticoduodenal transplantation.

Present methods of monitoring for allograft dysfunction in pancreaticoduodenal transplantation (urinary amylase, scintigraphy) give indirect evidence and do not consistently allow recognition of early, potentially reversible rejection from other causes of allograft dysfunction. For better diagnosis of allograft dysfunction, adequate tissue specimens must be obtained without trauma to the allograft. We devised a cystoscopically directed needle biopsy technique to obtain tissue from the canine pancreaticoduodenal allograft. This technique is made feasible by a duodenocystostomy similar to that in human pancreaticoduodenal transplantation. The duodenum acts as a port of entry for the biopsy instruments, providing access to the pancreas. A 24F side-viewing nephroscope is used to view the duodenum. The tissue specimen is obtained with an 18-gauge, 350 mm Menghini aspiration needle inserted by way of the nephroscope through the duodenum and into the pancreas. Pancreaticoduodenal allotransplantation with a duodenocystostomy for exocrine drainage was performed in 18 dogs. Of 59 serial biopsy specimens obtained, 41 (69.5%) were adequate for pathologic evaluation. The principal complication associated with the technique was minimal bleeding at the biopsy site, occurring in 22 of the 59 biopsy procedures. This cystoscopically directed biopsy technique appears to be safe, often obtains adequate tissue for diagnosis, and may be directly applicable for distinguishing causes of allograft dysfunction in human pancreaticoduodenal transplantation.

Animals↗