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Biomedical subjects

G C Campbell

Publications and source records attributed to G C Campbell.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

A spectroscopic investigation of DuP 747 polymorphs.

DuP 747, a selective kappa agonist analgesic, was found to have at least two polymorphic forms, and this was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction. DSC and thermomicroscopic studies indicated the polymorphic pair to be monotropic. Solubility studies suggested the relative stability of the two forms to be similar. The infrared (IR) and Raman spectra of the two crystal forms were significantly different, and their complementary nature was shown from the differences in peak intensities. Solid-state 13C-NMR data of the polymorphs showed only minor differences between the two forms. When viewed on the molecular level through the use of vibrational and NMR spectroscopies, the conformation of the molecule in the two polymorphs appears to be roughly equivalent. The magnitude of the spectral differences of the two polymorphs is, however, consistent with those that can be expected for two crystal forms that have resulted from different modes of packing, as caused by the solvent environment.

Analgesics↗

The presence of tumour necrosis factor in CSF and plasma after severe head injury.

In a cohort of victims of traumatic brain injury, 18 out of 50 patients had a plasma tumour necrosis factor (TNF) concentration above 2 pg/ml within 24 h of injury (mean 12.19, SD 45.96 pg/ml). Twenty-six had CSF samples available of which 17 demonstrated TNF concentrations above 1 pg/ml (mean 3.98, SD 3.61 pg/ml). We conclude that traumatized brain parenchyma is a significant source of TNF activity and implicate the cytokine in cellular metabolic derangements following head injury.

Adolescent↗

Chronic dacryocystitis caused by Mycobacterium fortuitum.

PURPOSE: To characterize the clinical presentation of Mycobacterium fortuitum dacryocystitis, an unusual microbial cause of this disease. METHODS: The authors present a detailed description of a case of M. fortuitum chronic dacryocystitis and a review of the literature. FINDINGS: Although M. fortuitum is a well-recognized cause of chronic keratitis and corneal ulcer, it has only been reported once previously as a cause of dacryocystitis. Multiple factors that alter the ocular environment of the host may predispose to infection with this organism. The diagnosis requires isolation of the organism in the appropriate clinical setting. The authors' case represents the first patient successfully treated with dacryocystectomy. CONCLUSION: M. fortuitum is a rare cause of chronic dacryocystitis that may respond favorably to surgical therapy alone.

Chronic Disease↗

A spectroscopic investigation of losartan polymorphs.

Losartan, an antihypertensive agent in clinical development, was found to exist in two enantiotropic polymorphic forms, a low-temperature stable form (Form I) and a high-temperature stable form (Form II), the temperatures at which they are stable being related to the transition temperature. X-ray powder diffraction patterns indicated differences in the crystal packing of the two forms. The vibrational data from infrared and Raman spectroscopy suggested a subtle change in molecular conformation and crystal packing in the two forms. Solid-state 13C NMR data of the polymorphs concurred with the vibrational data and indicated that, while the observed line widths reflect no major changes in crystallinity, signal multiplicities and chemical shifts do reflect differences in molecular packing in the respective unit cells. Thus, in the absence of crystallographic data, useful structural information could be derived from spectroscopic results to identify each of the crystalline forms.

Antihypertensive Agents↗

Pathway-specific connections between peptide-containing preganglionic and postganglionic neurons in the vagus nerve of the toad (Bufo marinus).

We have examined immunohistochemically the distribution of postganglionic nerve cell bodies and their preganglionic inputs in the vagus nerve of the toad, Bufo marinus. Nerve cell bodies containing immunoreactivity (IR) to somatostatin (SOM) were found at the origin of the oesophago-gastric ramus; these neurons projected to the lung. Cell bodies with SOM-IR also occurred in the intracardiac branches of the vagus, but were absent from the distal segments of the pulmonary and oesophageal rami of the vagus. Cell bodies with IR to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) also occurred at the origin of the oesophago-gastric ramus, but most of these neurons projected to the oesophagus. Most neurons in the distal pulmonary and oesophageal rami were VIP-IR. Some nerve cell bodies in the vagosympathetic trunk and in the intracardiac rami contained both SOM-IR and VIP-IR. Vagal preganglionic nerve fibres with IR both to a somatostatin-like peptide and to substance P were associated exclusively with those postganglionic VIP-IR neurons that projected to the oesophagus. These results provide evidence for highly specific connections between immunohistochemically defined populations of preganglionic and postganglionic neurons in the vagus nerve.

Animals↗

Immunofluorescent and structural features of cells in the intervascular stroma of the amphibian carotid labyrinth.

The amphibian carotid labyrinth consists of a pars cavernosa, the main chamber of which is in communication with both the base of the external carotid artery, and the vessels of the labyrinthine pars capillaris. On the walls of the main chamber is a network of thick strands of connective tissue and modified smooth muscle cells surrounding the openings into the p. capillaris. These openings lead into wide-diameter atrial vessels, which in turn branch to form the short narrow-diameter vessels. The short vessels form the major component of the labyrinth. A few extremely narrow-diameter vessels are also present. The short vessels open into the roots of the internal carotid artery on the ventral aspect of the carotid labyrinth. The intervascular stroma of the p. capillaris contains numerous stellate and bipolar cells. These cells give a positive response to an immunofluorescent technique specific for smooth muscle myosin and tropomyosin. As the ultrastructural features of these cells are comparable in many respects to smooth muscle, they have been designated as modified smooth muscle cells. It is proposed that these cells act in both an active and passive fashion in maintaining the luminal dimensions of the short vessels relatively constant.

Animals↗