Biomedical subjects

Gregory Lowe

Publications and source records attributed to Gregory Lowe.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Xanthine urolithiasis.

Xanthine calculi are uncommonly encountered stones. When they occur, they typically do so in association with inborn metabolic disorders such as hereditary xanthinuria or Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. They may also occur in association with states of profound hyperuricemia such as myeloproliferative disease after treatment with allopurinol. If the underlying disorder is not addressed, a high risk of stone recurrence exists. Therefore, to raise clinical awareness, we reviewed and report our experience in the treatment of patients with these stones, discussing the underlying pathophysiology and approach to treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Local impairment of anti-neutrophil elastase capacity in community-acquired pneumonia.

Protease-antiprotease balance in 17 patients with unilateral community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) was characterized (day 6+/-0.8). Levels and activities of alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT), secretory leucoprotease inhibitor (SLPI), and neutrophil elastase (NE) were quantified. Lobes were designated as infected or uninvolved according to the presence of an infiltrate on chest radiograph. NE levels in infected lobes were higher than those in uninvolved lobes, and NE levels were significantly elevated in both, compared with that in control lobes (n=18; P<.01). A1AT and SLPI levels were similar in infected and uninvolved lobes and were significantly elevated, compared with those in control lobes (P<.05 and P<.005, respectively). Anti-NE activity in infected lobes was less than that in control or uninvolved lobes (P<.05); values in the latter 2 were similar. Free NE was detected in 7 of the infected samples, indicating that anti-NE capacity is impaired. Both A1AT and SLPI were cleaved or complexed in infected lobes, and A1AT was oxidized in infected lobes. We conclude that mean elastase levels are increased and that mean anti-elastase capacity is decreased in pneumonic lobes.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha-converting enzyme: its role in community-acquired pneumonia.

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid recovered from infected and uninvolved lungs of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP; n=16) on day 6+/-0.8 was analyzed for cytokine, soluble receptor, and antagonist levels. The role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-converting enzyme (TACE) in the resolution of the local inflammatory response was investigated. TNF-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6 were elevated in the infected versus uninvolved lobe, whereas IL-10 was not. Epithelial lining fluid (ELF) cytokine levels correlated with intracellular cytokine expression. Levels of proTNF-alpha were reciprocally related to TNF-alpha ELF levels. Levels of soluble receptors, generated by TACE cleavage of membrane-bound precursors, were compartmentalized to infected ELF. TACE was down-regulated by internalization in cells from the site of infection. These data demonstrate that, in vivo during CAP, TACE has a role in regulating resolution of the local inflammatory response by modulating levels of pro- and counterinflammatory mediators.

ADAM Proteins↗