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Biomedical subjects

E McMillan

Publications and source records attributed to E McMillan.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Deposition of transforming growth factor-beta in the marrow in myelofibrosis, and the intracellular localization and secretion of TGF-beta by leukemic cells.

The marrows of 10 patients with hematologic malignancies were examined by immunohistochemistry using anti TGF-beta antibody, CC(1-30), which detects secreted TGF-beta, and compared with four normal marrows. TGF-beta was not demonstrated in marrows with a normal level of reticulin fibrosis; however, TGF-beta was observed within collagen in marrows having collagen fibrosis or increased reticulin fibrosis. The extent of TGF-beta deposition paralleled the severity of fibrosis (P < .0001), and occurred even with normal or reduced numbers of megakaryocytes. Using another TGF-beta antibody, LC(1-30), which detects intracellular TGF-beta, TGF-beta was detected by immunofluorescence in discrete sites in the cytoplasm of immature and mature myeloid and large granular lymphocytic leukemia cells. These sites colocalized with areas detected by an anti-granule antibody (D545) suggesting that TGF-beta was stored in granules. However, neither the TGF-beta mRNA content nor the degree of TGF-beta secretion by these leukemic cells correlated with the extent of TGF-beta deposition in the marrow. Thus, TGF-beta deposition in marrow may contribute to myelofibrosis, but the source of this cytokine in the absence of megakaryocytes requires further study.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Identification of a platelet dense granule membrane protein that is deficient in a patient with the Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome.

Monoclonal antibodies were raised after injecting mice with isolated human dense granules. Several of these monoclonals were found to recognize a 40-Kd dense granule membrane protein. Western blot and immunofluorescent analysis confirmed the dense-granule specificity. After thrombin activation, the protein was found in patches on the external platelet membrane. By Western blot and slot blot analysis, the protein was found to be markedly deficient in a patient with the Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome. Studies of neutrophils and endothelial cells show the presence of immunologically related granule-membrane protein(s). Western blots using four anti-synaptophysin antibodies and three antibodies to the platelet 40-Kd protein suggest that the protein may share some homology with, but is not identical to, the synaptosomal membrane protein synaptophysin.

Albinism, Oculocutaneous↗
PubMed1990

Accelerated fetal lung maturation by estrogen is associated with an epithelial-fibroblast interaction.

The role of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in the stimulation of lung development by estrogen is now investigated using organ cultures of lung from male and female fetal rats taken from Days 17 to 21 of gestation. Estradiol at 1 microgram/ml was found to reduce cell proliferation in explants taken during a rapid growth phase (Day 18) and to stimulate surfactant synthesis in both males and females only in Day 20 explants when cell division is much slower. At this time more epithelial cells from estrogen-treated explants contained lamellar bodies, which were also secreted to fill the air sacs. These cultures also showed a significant increase in the frequency of cell-to-cell contacts between epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Uptake of tritiated estradiol by explants increased from Day 18 onward, and by autoradiography, labeling was located predominantly over fibroblasts. Using pure cultures of fetal and adult cells, uptake of labeled estradiol was significantly higher in fibroblasts than in corresponding epithelial cells, and estradiol did not directly enhance palmitate incorporation into epithelial cells. The results suggest that the earlier maturation and increased surfactant synthesis in female fetal lung is related at least in part to enhanced binding of estrogen by the fibroblast with subsequent transfer of a maturation factor to the fetal epithelium.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Catholic providers share resources to ease world health problems.

Organizations like the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have created systems to respond to the daunting problems of malnutrition and disease throughout the world. Such systems include UNICEF's GOBI program and the World Health Organization's Health for All plan. U.S. healthcare administrators have been slow to join in these efforts. They are preoccupied with trying to financially sustain their organizations in a technologically and bureaucratically complex society and find it difficult to feel responsible for other countries' health needs. Nevertheless, Catholic healthcare providers have joined the international efforts in a number of ways. Some have initiated programs to address a specific need for a limited period, and others have made long-term commitments to specific foreign communities. But most of these projects are limited, ad hoc efforts. A number of challenges face Catholic healthcare providers. They must continue to respond to specific needs, establish institutional links with organizations abroad to address longer-term needs, and use their professional and political leverage to influence structural changes to get at the root of chronic health problems in poor countries.

Catholicism↗
PubMed1987

Identification and possible significance of HNK-1+ human lymphocytes, macrophages, and non-neoplastic T-cells in cutaneous lymphoma.

Experimental work on animal models suggests that various lymphoid subpopulations (K/NK, lymphocytes, macrophages, T-cells) may play a role in immunity against neoplasia, including lymphomas. The incidence and possible role of these cells in spontaneously occurring human tumors is less clear. The prevalence of these lymphoid subpopulations was studied in 60 cutaneous biopsy specimens using in situ immunocytochemistry. Monoclonal HNK-1 (Leu 7), which detects human granular lymphocytes with K/NK function, was used to detect K/NK lymphocytes; macrophages were identified by diffuse cytoplasmic esterase activity; T-cells were identified using monoclonal antibodies OKT3 and Leu 1. HNK-1+ lymphocytes, esterase-positive macrophages, and infiltrating T-cells were identified in varying numbers in the cases studied. The demonstration of HNK-1+ lymphocytes, macrophages, and T-lymphocytes in cutaneous lymphoma lesions is of potential therapeutic application. Whatever the naturally occurring role of these immune cells, it is possible that they may be manipulated pharmacologically for the benefit of the patient.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1987

Joint ventures: a risk to the ministry's moral capital?

When Catholic health care providers become involved in a joint venture, they put at risk not only their financial and legal resources but also their "moral capital," that is, their tradition of healing in Jesus Christ's name. Since collaborative arrangements may offer the only way to respond to persons in need, organizations that are contemplating joint ventures must assess in moral terms the "return" on such arrangements. The joint ventures fraught with the greatest moral risk are those between hospitals and physicians. In such arrangements, the patient's best interests may be compromised by the economic interests of both the physicians and the provider. Although both the law and the American Medical Association seem reluctant to prohibit entrepreneurial activity that places physicians in conflict-of-interest situations, they have established disclosure requirements to help safeguard patient interests. Moral tensions also are inherent in managed care plans such as health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organizations. The emphasis on gatekeeping to avoid unnecessary medical procedures and the potential for excluding persons in need who cannot afford to participate in such plans are two serious concerns. The patient's right to confidentiality also may be threatened in capitated systems, which rely on complex utilization review procedures that expose the patient's records to a wide circle of people. Each ethical issue will not arise in every potential joint venture. The sooner an organization can name the key values it wants to protect, however, the easier it will be for potential partners to work together and to build into the joint venture safeguards for these values.

Catholicism↗
PubMed1984

Oxygen therapy.

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Acid-Base Equilibrium↗