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Biomedical subjects

D Kelly

Publications and source records attributed to D Kelly.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Morphological changes and alterations in regional intrarenal blood flow induced by graded renal ischemia.

A model of renal ischemia was used to study morphological changes and alterations in intrarenal blood flow. Renal artery blood flow was reduced from 120 to 20 ml./minute (normal 172 +/- 14) for 3 weeks. Morphological changes were assessed histologically, and by electronmicroscopy. Intrarenal blood flow was determined using microspheres. Flow rates less than 80 ml./minute resulted in a progressive loss of renal volume with arterial thrombosis and renal infarction at 20 ml./minute. Histological changes included loss of glomerular volume, tubular dilatation (60 ml./minute), tubular cast formation (50 ml./minute) tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, arteriolar thickening (40 ml./minute) and glomerular hyalinization (30 ml./minute). Electronmicroscopy changes at 60 ml./minute (loss of glomerular microvasculature, unfolding of glomerular vascular tuft, appearance of blind ending vessels) progressed to disruption of glomerular architecture noted at 30 ml./minute. Narrowing of medullary blood vessels (60 ml./minute) and neovascularisation (40 ml./minute) was observed. Progressive ischemia decreased medullary, inner cortical and outer cortical blood flow (5.9 to 2.1 ml./minute/gm.) p less than 0.01, with a compensatory increase to the opposite kidney.

Animals↗

Characterization and autoradiographic localization of the epidermal growth factor receptor in the jejunum of neonatal and weaned pigs.

Receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF) were characterized on the intestinal membranes of newborn, sucking and weaned pigs. 125I-labelled EGF (125I-EGF) binding to membrane homogenates was time-dependent, saturable, linearly correlated to membrane protein and reversible. Analysis of saturation curve data revealed a single class of 125I-EGF binding sites in both newborn and weaned pigs. Receptor levels tended to be higher in weaned than in newborn pigs; the converse was true for the receptor affinity. In contrast, virtually no binding sites were found on the intestinal membranes of sucking pigs. Autoradiography in vitro of jejunal sections of newborn and weaned pigs demonstrated 125I-EGF receptors on both microvillar and basolateral surfaces of enterocytes, suggesting that luminal EGF could influence developmental processes in the intestine either directly or indirectly following transcytosis of the ligand.

Animals↗

Molecular genetic study of the frequency of monosomy 22q11 in DiGeorge syndrome.

It is well established that DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) may be associated with monosomy of 22q11-pter. More recently, DNA probes have been used to detect hemizygosity for this region in patients with no visible karyotypic abnormality. However, DGS has also been described in cases where the cytogenetic abnormality does not involve 22q11; for instance, four cases of 10p- have been reported. In this study we have prospectively analyzed patients, by using DNA markers from 22q11, to assess the frequency of 22q11 rearrangements in DGS. Twenty-one of 22 cases had demonstrable hemizygosity for 22q11. Cytogenetic analysis had identified interstitial deletion in 6 of 16 cases tested; in 6 other cases no karyotype was available. When these results are combined with those from our previous studies, 33 of 35 DGS patients had chromosome 22q11 deletions detectable by DNA probes.

Chromosome Deletion↗

High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and invasive carcinoma following the report of three negative Papanicolaou smears: screening failures or rapid progression?

The cytologic smears and histopathologic specimens of 18 patients developing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 (CIN3) and two developing invasive squamous carcinoma following the report of at least three negative Papanicolaou tests were studied. A median number of 9.5 smears per patient procured over a median interval of 93.5 mo were reviewed. Twenty-eight (22.7%) of 123 reportedly negative smears revealed a squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL), 17 (13.8%) were unsatisfactory, 14 (11.4%) lacked an endocervical component, and 37 (30.1%) were classified as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASQUS) on reexamination. Fourteen (50%) of 28 smears originally misclassified as negative contained fewer than 100 SIL cells and five (17.8%) were severely inflamed. One patient whose smears were misclassified as negative had an atrophic cervix, one had SIL cells primarily in thick sheets, and two had small CIN3 cells resembling squamous metaplasia. Six patients (30%) had a single false negative smear, seven (35%) had multiple false negative smears, seven (35%) had two or more unsatisfactory smears reported as negative, seven had at least two smears lacking an endocervical component, and six had at least two smears taken during pregnancy. Thirteen patients had abnormal smears classified as ASQUS or high-grade SIL (HSIL) but never had a specimen showing only a low-grade SIL (LSIL). This study demonstrates that early signs of SIL may be difficult to recognize cytologically and that poor quality specimens and inadequate sampling may contribute to false negative diagnoses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis in a Jamaican male patient.

A case of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis occurring in a Black Jamaican male patient is described. Diagnosis is based on history and confirmed by evaluation of serum electrolyte during attacks and thyroid function studies. The pathophysiology, associations, therapy and prognosis are discussed. It is important that clinicians recognise the condition as all forms of periodic paralysis are amenable to treatment, and progressive weakness can be prevented or even reversed.

Adult↗

Molecular characterization of medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency: identification of a lys329 to glu mutation in the MCAD gene, and expression of inactive mutant enzyme protein in E. coli.

A series of experiments has established the molecular defect in the medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) dehydrogenase (MCAD) gene in a family with MCAD deficiency. Demonstration of intra-mitochondrial mature MCAD indistinguishable in size (42.5-kDa) from control MCAD, and of mRNA with the correct size of 2.4 kb, indicated a point-mutation in the coding region of the MCAD gene to be disease-causing. Consequently, cloning and DNA sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified complementary DNA (cDNA) from messenger RNA of fibroblasts from the patient and family members were performed. All clones sequenced from the patient exhibited a single base substitution from adenine (A) to guanine (G) at position 985 in the MCAD cDNA as the only consistent base-variation compared with control cDNA. In contrast, the parents contained cDNA with the normal and the mutated sequence, revealing their obligate carrier status. Allelic homozygosity in the patient and heterozygosity for the mutation in the parents were established by a modified PCR reaction, introducing a cleavage site for the restriction endonuclease NcoI into amplified genomic DNA containing G985. The same assay consistently revealed A985 in genomic DNA from 26 control individuals. The A to G mutation was introduced into an E. coli expression vector producing mutant MCAD, which was demonstrated to be inactive, probably because of the inability to form active tetrameric MCAD. All the experiments are consistent with the contention that the G985 mutation, resulting in a lysine to glutamate shift at position 329 in the MCAD polypeptide chain, is the genetic cause of MCAD deficiency in this family. We found the same mutation in homozygous form in 11 out of 12 other patients with verified MCAD deficiency.

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenases↗

Investigation of paediatric liver disease.

The investigation of children with liver disease falls into two categories: the investigation of the cholestatic baby and the investigation of the older child (over 2 years) with hepatomegaly. The approach to investigation is directed by the clinical features and employs many different investigational methods including biochemistry, haematology, radiology, electrophysiology and histology. As the clinical presentation of many diseases is similar, it is appropriate to perform a variety of first-line tests, proceeding to more complex investigations only as indicated.

Child↗

Ontogenic expression of histo-blood group antigens in the intestines of suckling pigs: lectin histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis.

The expression of intestinal histo-blood group AO and related antigens was investigated in piglets during an 8 week suckling period. Lectin histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses were undertaken on sections of resin-embedded intestinal tissue and semi-quantitative scoring systems were adopted for categories of lectins and monoclonal antibodies reactive with carbohydrate moieties present in core, backbone and terminal oligosaccharide sequences of histo-blood group antigens. Distinct age-related changes were observed in the terminal glycosylation of both secretory and membrane glycoconjugates. Histo-blood group A antigen was identified in intestinal mucin 5 weeks after birth and the precursor H antigen was found in goblet cells at week 1. H antigen was undetectable on intestinal membranes during the first 3 weeks of suckling but a conspicuous and sustained level of this form of fucosylation was apparent during the latter half of the suckling period. More complex membrane glycosylation involving further fucosylation and/or the expression of A antigen, was evident in the latter part of the suckling period. These temporal changes in membrane and secretory glycosylation may be physiologically important during intestinal adaptation and development in young pigs.

Age Factors↗

The influence of lactation products on the temporal expression of histo-blood group antigens in the intestines of suckling pigs: lectin histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis.

Lectins and carbohydrate-specific monoclonal antibodies were used as cytochemical probes to investigate the possible influence of lactation products on the expression of intestinal membrane and secretory glycoconjugates in suckling piglets. Two different lactational regimes were compared; the first involved normal rearing of piglets for 8 weeks on a single dam and the second involved repeated cross-fostering of littermates onto recently farrowed sows, thereby restricting them to early milk. Five histo-blood group phenotypes were recognized within the piglet population: two immature phenotypes, 'O immature' or 'Oi' and 'A immature' or 'Ai', and three mature forms, 'O', 'A' and '-'. Under the normal suckling regime the transition from immature to mature OA phenotypes was evident at the fifth week post partum. However, in the repeatedly cross-fostered piglets this transition was evident much earlier at 3 weeks post partum. It is suggested that qualitative or quantitative variations in milk composition during the sow's lactation may significantly influence the expression of intestinal histo-blood group antigens in her suckling young.

Age Factors↗

Polyamide profiles of porcine milk and of intestinal tissue of pigs during suckling.

Previous studies have suggested that luminal polyamines can directly influence intestinal differentiation of neonatal rats. The present investigation has demonstrated the presence of high levels of polyamines in porcine milk and in the intestinal tissues of suckling pigs. The quantities of polyamines in sow's milk sampled between wk 1 and 8 of lactation were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The concentration of milk spermidine (SPD) remained constant over the first 3 to 4 wk of lactation but increased 4-fold between wk 4 and 7. Neither putrescine nor spermine (SPN) were detected in any of the milk samples. During intestinal development the mucosal SPD/SPN ratio was elevated between wk 1 and 3 and wk 5 and 7. The latter period of increase corresponded with the surge in milk SPD concentration. It is suggested that milk SPD is taken up from the intestinal lumen and is involved in potentiating intestinal differentiation during the latter part of the suckling period.

Animals↗

Digestive development of the early-weaned pig. 1. Effect of continuous nutrient supply on the development of the digestive tract and on changes in digestive enzyme activity during the first week post-weaning.

Gastric intubation was adopted to examine the effect of continuous nutrient supply on digestive development of the pig during the immediate post-weaning period. The 14 d-weaned animals were slaughtered at 3, 5 and 7 d post-weaning (3W, 5W and 7W respectively) and the suckled animals were slaughtered at 14 and 22 d of age (14SR and 22SR respectively). The weight of the pancreas (g/kg bodyweight) was significantly greater (P less than 0.05) in the 5W and 7W groups, as was the weight of large intestine (g/kg) in all weaned groups (P less than 0.01) compared with sow-reared pigs. The stomach weight (g/kg) tended to be greater in the weaned groups. Weaning, in conjunction with a continuous nutrient supply, did not significantly alter the time-related changes in the weight of the small intestine (SI) or the SI mucosa, although both variables tended to be lowest in the 3W group. However, there was a 20% reduction in the protein content of the mucosa within the first 3 d post-weaning (P less than 0.01) which persisted during the 7 d experimental period. Lactase, (beta-galactosidase; EC 3.2.1.23) activity (mumol/g protein and mol/d) of the 7W group was reduced to approximately 40% of the 22SR value. Hence, continuous nutrient supply may have delayed, but did not prevent, the loss of lactase activity at weaning. The activity of sucrase (sucrose-alpha-glucosidase; EC 3.2.1.48) was significantly higher in 22SR compared with 14SR animals. Sucrase activity in weaned pigs was intermediate to the values for sow-reared pigs whereas maltase (alpha-glucosidase; EC 3.2.1.20) and glucoamylase (glucan 1,4-alpha-glucosidase; EC 3.2.1.3) were significantly increased in relation to their sow-reared counterparts. Continuous nutrient supply did not prevent the reduction in villous height and the crypt hypertrophy associated with weaning. The results of the present study suggest that there may be some degree of interaction between nutrient intake and gut development during the immediate post-weaning period but that there is also a component of the adaptive response which is independent of nutrient intake. They confirm the rapid substrate induction of the brush-border glucoamylases and indicate the importance of considering total as well as specific enzyme activity for satisfactory interpretation of changes in digestive function.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

Digestive development of the early-weaned pig. 2. Effect of level of food intake on digestive enzyme activity during the immediate post-weaning period.

Gastric intubation was adopted as a means of comparing the effect of two feeding levels, continuous nutrient supply (C) and restricted nutrient supply (R), on the digestive development of pigs weaned at 14 d of age, during the first 5 d post-weaning. The absolute weights of the stomach and the pancreas were significantly greater (P less than 0.001) in C compared with R pigs. The effect was not significant for pancreas weight when expressed per kg body-weight but was significant (P less than 0.05) for stomach weight. The weights of the small intestine (SI), SI mucosa and total mucosal protein were significantly higher (P less than 0.001) in C pigs but protein content per g mucosa was similar in the C and R groups. There was no significant effect of treatment on the activity of lactase (beta-glucosidase; EC 3.2.1.23) or sucrase (sucrose-alpha-glucosidase; EC 3.2.1.48) irrespective of the basis of comparison used. The specific activity (mumol/min per g protein) of maltase (alpha-glucosidase; EC 3.2.1.20) and of glucoamylase (glucan-1,4-alpha-glucosidase; EC 3.2.1.3) were similar in C and R groups but activities of maltase (mumol/g mucosa) (P less than 0.05), and maltase and glucoamylase (mol/d) (P less than 0.01) were significantly higher in C pigs. Villous height and crypt depth were significantly greater in C pigs (P less than 0.001 and P less than 0.05 respectively). Enteroglucagon was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in C compared with R pigs. Xylose absorption and the digestibility of energy were not affected by treatment. Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein (nitrogen x 6.25) and carbohydrate were significantly higher (P less than 0.001, P less than 0.01, P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.001 respectively) in R pigs compared with C pigs but the differences were small, ranging from 1.3 to 2.5%. These results demonstrate that (1) nutrient intake in the weaned pig affects the anatomy, morphology and function of the gut, (2) there is considerable 'spare capacity' for digestion of cereal-based diets even in pigs weaned at 14 d of age, (3) measurements in vitro of digestive function are of limited value unless supported by information in vivo on absorption/digestibility.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

The viability of microorganisms in preservation solutions.

In 1988 the University of Wisconsin solution was introduced into clinical transplantation. This solution is unique in that it contains no glucose but rather raffinose, lactobionate, and hydroxyethyl starch. In addition, it contains two antibiotics, penicillin and bactrim. Prior studies have shown that other preservation solutions allow the transmission of bacterial contamination from organ donor to recipient. However, there are no data on whether UW solution, with its unique composition and extended preservation times, allows bacterial transmission. We undertook the present study to establish if bacteria remain viable in UW solution at extended preservation times. Cultures of both aerobic (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and anaerobic (Bacteroides fragilis) bacteria were suspended at 10(5), 10(4), 10(2), and 10(1) org./ml (calibrated from a .5 Macfarland turbidity standard) in both Eurocollins and UW preservation solutions. Samples were then stored in an ice bath to stimulate organ preservation. The organisms were removed and plated on blood and chocolate agar at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 hr postsuspension. The samples were then incubated at 37 degrees C and read for growth at 24-48 hr after plating. Our results showed growth of all organisms except S epi in both preservation solutions, at all dilutions and preservation times. S epi grew in the Eurocollins solution at all dilutions and preservation times but did not grow in the UW solution. When the experiment was repeated omitting penicillin from the UW solution, S epi grew at all dilutions and preservation times. These results demonstrate that in spite of the inclusion of two different antibiotics, the majority of the common bacterial contaminants of the organ donor remain viable in UW solution with extended preservation times. It may be possible therefore to omit these antibiotics from the UW solution and obtain similar results. It is also important to note that routine culturing remains an expensive but necessary part of organ procurement and preservation.

Adenosine↗

Trauma in cirrhosis: an indicator of the pattern of alcohol abuse in different societies.

While some morbidities associated with the excessive use of alcohol are related to the total amount of alcohol consumed--cirrhosis being an example--other pathologies, such as trauma and those of psycho-social origin, are mainly related to the frequency of acute alcoholic intoxication rather than to the total amount consumed. The balance between these two types of alcohol-associated morbidities can provide an indication of the relative frequency of intoxication, and thus of the pattern of alcohol abuse in a population. Since trauma is highly associated with acute alcoholic intoxication, the prevalence of bone fractures was determined in cirrhotics in nine countries. The prevalence of rib and vertebral fractures on routine chest x-rays showed a 17-fold variation in the different countries, from 2% and 6% in Spain and Italy to 30% and 34% in Canada and the USA, suggesting marked differences in the pattern of alcohol abuse to intoxication. Conversely, the prevalence of cirrhosis is twice as high in Spain and Italy than in Canada and the USA. A strong positive correlation between per capita consumption and cirrhosis mortality (r = 0.86; p less than 0.01) exists among the nine countries studied, while the correlation between per capita alcohol consumption and the prevalence of trauma is not statistically significant (r = 0.40). Supporting a strong association between trauma and alcoholic intoxication, the prevalence of trauma was found to be highly correlated: r = 0.88, p less than 0.002, with the degree of concern for the psycho-social consequences of alcohol abuse in the different countries. Data indicate that trauma can be used as an objective indicator to assess the pattern of alcohol abuse in a population.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Hemolytic and sphingomyelinase activities of Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin are dependent on a domain homologous to that of an enzyme from the human arachidonic acid pathway.

The N-terminal domain of Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin, homologous with the nontoxic phospholipase C of Bacillus cereus, was expressed in Escherichia coli and shown to retain all of the phosphatidylcholine hydrolyzing activity of the alpha-toxin, but not the sphingomyelinase, hemolytic, or lethal activities. The C-terminal domain of alpha-toxin showed sequence and predicted structural homologies with the N-terminal region of arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme from the human arachidonic acid pathway which plays a role in inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases in humans.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of lactation on the decline of brush border lactase activity in neonatal pigs.

It has been shown that during the early phase of lactation porcine milk contains high concentrations of hormones and growth factors. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the hypothesis that the temporal coordination of intestinal maturation in piglets can be extrinsically regulated through changes in the composition of milk during the suckling period. Gut morphology and the ontogeny of brush border lactase activity were investigated in piglets reared on two suckling regimens designed to expose the animals to compositionally distinct milk. The first group of animals were cross-fostered onto postcolostrum sows and thereafter suckled normally for up to eight weeks. These normally suckled (N) animals consequently received both early and late lactation products. The second group of piglets were cross-fostered each week, for up to eight weeks, onto newly farrowed sows which were postcolostrum. As a result of this repeated cross-fostering (CF) these animals received only early lactation products. Animals were sacrificed at one, three, five, seven, and eight weeks postpartum. Biochemically active lactase decreased significantly (p less than 0.001) in both groups over eight weeks, but the rate of loss of activity was greater in the CF animals than in the N pigs by approximately 50% at week 3 and 25% at week 8. Quantitative histochemical analysis of lactase activity corroborated the biochemical data. At three weeks maximal enzyme activity was observed approximately 400 microns from the villus/crypt junction. Histochemically detected lactase decreased throughout the suckling period, but the intensity of reaction product was consistently weaker over the entire villus surface in the CF animals. Immunocytochemically detectable lactase was identified at the same sites as the histochemical reaction products. In addition, immunofluorescence microscopy showed the presence of histochemically undetectable enzyme on the basolateral and brush border membranes of both villus and crypt cells. Villus/crypt ratios were significantly lower (p<0.001) in the CF animals than in the N pigs between weeks 3 and 5. The results of this study suggest that lactation products can accelerate the loss of brush border lactase activity. The observed decline in biochemically and histochemically detected lactase was considered to be a consequence of reduced enterocyte lifespan, decreased synthesis of enzyme protein, or altered post-translational modification of enzyme protein, or a combination of there.

Animals↗