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Biomedical subjects

D Morehouse

Publications and source records attributed to D Morehouse.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Flow cytometric method using fluorescent microspheres to measure reticuloendothelial function or particulate translocation.

The reticuloendothelial system (RES) influences the outcome of vascular shock and environmental stress. We describe a procedure that employs flow cytometry and 1 microm fluorescent microspheres (FM) to study RES function. FM (2 x 10(10) beads/kg) were administered via a jugular cannula in Sprague-Dawley rats. After 15 min, blood and tissues were collected and digested in 15% KOH. Phycoerythrin 1 microm beads were added to each sample as an internal standard and analyzed by flow cytometry. FM were preferentially cleared by the spleen, liver and lung. Clearance was confirmed by fluorescent photomicroscopy. Addition of the internal standard to determine accurately aspiration volume enhanced precision. This procedure offers advantages over other RES clearance methods including bacterial, radioactive or carbon clearance assays. Moreover, this method could enhance accuracy, reproducibility and speed of data collection in particulate transport studies that are based on manual microscopic scanning and FM counting.

Animals↗

Cooling to heat of fusion (HOF), followed by rapid rewarming, does not reduce the integrity of microvascular corrosion casts.

This study utilized microvascular corrosion casting techniques to evaluate changes in the microvascular patency of rat hindpaws cooled to four different subzero temperatures. Left hindpaws of anesthetized rats in group 1 were cooled to -5 degrees C, in group 2 to -15 degrees C, in group 3 to heat of fusion (HOF), and in group 4 to HOF and then to -15 degrees C. Although freezing did not take place in the hindpaws of groups 1 and 2, initiation of freezing in the tissues, as indicated by HOF, did occur in groups 3 and 4. Cooled hindpaws were rapidly rewarmed. Right hindpaws served as controls. Microvascular corrosion casts were made from the left and right hindpaws of all animals. There was no significant difference when the mean cast weights of cooled hindpaws from groups 1, 2, and 3 were compared to the mean cast weights of their respective control hindpaws. In group 4, there was a significant difference (P less than 0.05) when the mean cast weight of the cooled hindpaws (47.69 +/- 9.05, mg +/- SEM) was compared to that of the control hindpaws (80.63 +/- 12.23). Since, in this acute experiment, a loss of vascular integrity occurred when the hindpaws in group 4 were cooled to -15 degrees C after reaching HOF, the initiation of freezing alone was not sufficient to reduce mean cast weight.

Animals↗

An evaluation of the ability of the peripheral vasodilator buflomedil to improve vascular patency after acute frostbite.

The extent of microvascular damage from frostbite can be accurately demonstrated by vascular microcorrosion casting techniques (P. S. Daum, W. D. Bowers, Jr., J. Tejada, and M. P. Hamlet, Cryobiology 24, 65-73, 1987). In the present investigation, the peripheral vasodilator buflomedil was evaluated for its ability to ameliorate microcirculatory damage from acute experimentally induced freeze injury. This drug has been reported to decrease tissue loss in human frostbite patients when given intravenously during thawing (J. Foray, P. E. Baisse, J. P. Mont, and Cl. Cahen, Sem. Hop. Paris 56, 490-497, 1980). In seven groups of anesthetized rats, left hindpaws were cooled to heat of fusion; cooling continued until the temperature in the footpads fell to -15 degrees C. Prior to cooling, group 1 received a tail vein injection of 1 ml saline/kg, while group 2 received 10 mg buflomedil/kg. Immediately following cooling, group 3 received an injection of 10 mg buflomedil/kg. Hindpaws were rapidly rewarmed in a 40 degree C bath. During rewarming, left hindpaws from group 4 were immersed in deionized water, from group 5 in 24 mg buflomedil in deionized water, from group 6 in 30% dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO), and from group 7 in 24 mg buflomedil in 30% Me2SO. Right hindpaws served as controls. Vascular microcorrosion casts were made from left and right hindpaws of all groups. There was no significant difference in mean cast weights when frozen hindpaws of the seven groups were compared, although treatment with buflomedil increased the mean cast weight of control hindpaws from groups 3 and 7. It therefore appears that, in this acute model for frostbite, buflomedil does not improve vascular patency.

Animals↗

Extensive intraglomerular fibrin deposition after renal transplantation: recovery without anticoagulation.

Acute renal failure developed in a 55-year-old man 6 days after he had received a cadaver renal allograft. This was associated with thrombocytopenia. Extensive intraglomerular fibrin deposition was seen in a renal biopsy specimen. He was treated with corticosteroids, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide and hemodialysis with regional heparinization but not with systemic anticoagulation. This was followed by complete recovery of both renal function and histologic damage despite the fact that he did not receive anticoagulant therapy. This suggests that treatment with anticoagulants may not be necessary for all patients with intraglomerular deposits of fibrin.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

A community project to encourage compliance with mental health treatment aftercare.

Rehospitalization of mentally ill persons has been associated mainly with two major factors, noncompliance with the prescribed course of medication and noncompliance with planned aftercare. The authors developed and pilot tested a community health project designed to assist chronically ill mental health patients who, when discharged from hospital care, are considered at high risk for rehospitalization. The project was designed to support clients' efforts to comply with their prescribed course of aftercare therapy, support, and medication. The project was developed at the University of Maryland at Baltimore, School of Nursing, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The project consisted of interventions during the critical time after hospital discharge but before the client becomes fully established in outpatient treatment. The interventions were based on the principle of catching the high-risk client before a crisis situation occurred. The four interventions were (a) discharge planning for the individual client that stressed education about the client's psychiatric illness; (b) education about medications prescribed for the client; (c) an education program for family members and others to assist them in helping the individual client; and (d) communicating with the client to reinforce the support network concept, using a 48-hour followup telephone call, an information contact by post-card, and a non crisis telephone line. The project was implemented on a pilot basis during the fall of 1992 by the nursing students and staff members at a major urban Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). The pilot project involved 31 staff and community health professionals and 68 client interactions during 1992. Data were collected from clients and staff members during and after the project was implemented. The project was evaluated using a multimethod evaluation tool, and revisions were incorporated based on the results.Clients who participated in the program indicated that establishing caring relationships within a support network was the most significant factor in achieving compliance with aftercare. The results of the project, noted by staff members and observers, have led to implementation and expansion of interventions by subsequent groups of nursing students. Plans for the future of the project include determining rates of recidivism and obtaining more information on other health outcomes of clients.

Aftercare↗