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Biomedical subjects

G C Man

Publications and source records attributed to G C Man.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Computerized tomography versus perfusion lung scanning in canine radiation lung injury.

Computerized tomographic (CT) measurements of lung density were obtained before and serially after thoracic irradiation in dogs to detect the alterations caused by radiation therapy. Fourteen mongrel dogs were given either 2000 cGy (Group A, 10 dogs, right lower zone irradiation), 1000 cGy (Group B, 2 dogs, right lower zone irradiation), or 500 cGy (Group C, 2 dogs, right lung irradiation) in one fraction. Once before and bi-weekly after irradiation, the anesthetized dogs had thoracic CT scans. CT numbers for the irradiated area were compared to their preirradiation control values. Macro-aggregated albumin (MAA) perfusion lung scans were also obtained before and at weekly intervals after irradiation and were evaluated visually and quantitatively for abnormalities. When both these tests were abnormal, or at the end of the scheduled study, the dogs were sacrificed to confirm radiation lung injury histologically. Our results showed that CT numbers (as a measure of tissue density) were higher with higher doses of radiation. Among all the techniques used, only the quantitative assessment of macro-aggregated albumin perfusion scan detected abnormalities in all the dogs given 2000 cGy. Their abnormalities correlated well with the presence of radiation lung damage histologically, however, the applicability of these methods in the detection of early injury has to be further evaluated.

Animals

Reflex changes in tracheal smooth muscle tone during high-frequency oscillation.

We examined the effect of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) on tracheal smooth muscle tension and upper airway resistance in anesthetized dogs. The animals were ventilated via a low tracheostomy by HFOV or conventional intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) with and without added positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). The transverse muscle tension of the trachea above the tracheostomy was measured and found to be lower during HFOV when compared with IPPV or IPPV with PEEP. When both vagi were cooled to 8 degrees C to interrupt afferent traffic from the lungs, there was no longer any difference between the modes of ventilation. In a second series of experiments, the airflow resistance of the upper airway above the tracheostomy was measured (Ruaw). During HFOV, Ruaw was significantly lower than during either IPPV or IPPV with PEEP. We conclude that HFOV induces a relaxation of tracheal smooth muscle and a reduction of upper airway resistance through a vagally mediated mechanism.

Airway Resistance

Tracheal mucus rheology in patients undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy. Interrelations with smoking and cancer.

We examined the differences in tracheal mucus rheology between nonsmokers and smokers, and between smokers with and without lung cancer. Mucus was collected from patients undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy without atropine by holding a cytology brush in contact with the tracheal mucosa for 10 to 15 s. Samples were obtained from 43 patients 24 to 79 yr of age: nine nonsmokers, 18 current smokers, and 16 exsmokers (greater than 6 months); 12 patients (nine smokers, three exsmokers) had lung cancer. Pulmonary function testing showed that the nonsmoker patients had significant restrictive lung disease, and the patients with cancer had significant irreversible airway obstruction. The viscoelastic properties of the mucus samples were determined by magnetic microrheometry. Two parameters are reported: G* (modulus of rigidity) and tan delta (loss tangent), each measured at 1 and 100 rad/s. G* is an index of overall deformability (elastic and viscous), and tan delta is the ratio of viscous to elastic deformability. For nonsmoker patients, the viscoelastic parameters were virtually identical to those found previously for normal volunteers. For smokers without cancer, the mucus had a lower value of tan delta 1 rad/s and therefore was predicted to be more easily transportable by ciliary action; for exsmokers without cancer, ciliary transportability as calculated from viscoelasticity was even higher because of both low tan delta and low G*. Mucus from patients with cancer was not significantly different from that of nonsmokers; however, the mucus was predicted to be less easily clearable by ciliary action than was that from smokers and exsmokers without cancer, mainly because of a higher tan delta at 1 rad/s.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Sequential changes in canine pulmonary epithelial and endothelial cell functions after nitrogen dioxide.

Through its ability to cause lipid peroxidation, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) may affect the functional properties of both the pulmonary epithelium and endothelium. We evaluated this possibility in 13 mongrel dogs by exposing these animals to 200 or 400 ppm NO2 for 1 h. The changes in pulmonary epithelial permeability (using a radioaerosol technique), FRC, and endothelial function (the removal of radiolabeled serotonin, [14C]5-HT, and prostaglandin E1, [3H]PGE1, from the pulmonary circulation) were measured at 1 h and at 2, 7, or 14 days after NO2 exposure. In another six dogs, we evaluated changes in cell population and albumin in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid caused by NO2. In the first two days after NO2 exposure, focal pulmonary edema was documented on microscopy, radioaerosol clearance was delayed, and FRC decreased slightly. BAL showed a marked increase in albumin, but the removal of trace amounts of 5-HT and PGE1 by the endothelium was not altered. All physiologic abnormalities returned to normal with time.

Albumins

Diphenylhydantoin and pulmonary function.

Thirty-nine epileptic patients underwent pulmonary function testing. Twenty-one of these patients, ranging in age from 16 to 44 years, had taken diphenylhydantoin (DPH) for 2 to 17 years. Eighteen patients, who had taken other anticonvulsants for similar time periods served as controls. Five patients in the DPH group had lung volume abnormalities, four had abnormal airway function, and five had abnormalities of alveolar gas mixing. One patient in the control group had lung volume abnormalities, two had abnormal airway function, and five had abnormalities of alveolar gas mixing. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between the groups, or between either group and predicted values.

Adolescent