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Biomedical subjects

J A Jackson

Publications and source records attributed to J A Jackson.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Malignant somatostatinoma presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis.

High circulating levels of somatostatin (SRIF) were detected in a patient with a metastatic tumour after development of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Fasting insulin and C-peptide levels were markedly suppressed, but plasma glucagon was not suppressed below normal. Progressive cachexia ensued; at autopsy a poorly differentiated non-small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma metastatic to liver was found. Small gallstones were noted. Electron microscopy of tumour tissue showed neurosecretory granules and tonofilament bundles. Immunohistochemical staining of tumour cells was diffusely positive for carcinoembryonic antigen, bombesin-like immunoreactivity, and calcitonin with focal immunoreactivity for SRIF, serotonin, neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin, and epithelial membrane antigen. Column chromatography of plasma and tumour extract revealed five or more peaks of material with SRIF-like immunoreactivity (SRIF-LI): predominantly SRIF-28 and intermediates in tumour extract, and SRIF-14 and an intermediate between SRIF-28 and SRIF-14 in plasma, DKA in this case of somatostatinoma syndrome may reflect differential effects of tumour production of larger molecular weight SRIF forms on insulin and glucagon secretion.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗

Experimental Haemophilus somnus pneumonia in calves.

Purulent bronchopneumonia was induced in 12 young calves inoculated endotracheally with a total of 2 to 8 X 10(10) viable Haemophilus somnus organisms. Calves treated before inoculation of bacteria with dexamethasone had more extensive lung changes than nontreated calves. Two of six dexamethasone-pretreated calves died while none of the non-pretreated calves died in the 12-day experimental period. Cranial-ventral gray to red lung consolidations with multifocal abscesses were present in all calves. Histologic examination revealed purulent to fibrinopurulent bronchiolitis accompanied by alveolar filling with fibrin, neutrophils, and macrophages. In addition, peribronchiolar fibrosis and bronchiolitis obliterans were common as were interlobular fibrosis and thrombosis of interlobular and pleural lymphatics. Focal to diffuse ulceration of bronchiolar epithelium was present in five of 12 lungs. Abscessation and severe alveolar filling with fibrin, red blood cells, and streaming inflammatory cells were present in dexamethasone-treated calves. H. somnus was isolated from lungs of all 12 calves. Complement fixation and microagglutination antibody titers to H. somnus antigens increased in most calves following infection with H. somnus. This model of H. somnus pneumonia closely resembles the naturally occurring disease.

Animals↗

Bone histomorphometry in hypogonadal and eugonadal men with spinal osteoporosis.

We present iliac bone histomorphometric data after in vivo double tetracycline labeling and related biochemical data from 14 nonalcoholic men referred for evaluation of symptomatic spinal osteoporosis. Six patients had previously undiagnosed hypogonadism, and 8 had normal gonadal function and no evident etiology for osteoporosis. Bone histomorphometry revealed no differences in structural measurements or resorption indices between the 2 groups. However, compared to reference values for normal postmenopausal women, osteoblast surface, mineralizing surface, and formation rate were normal or modestly increased in the hypogonadal men and significantly reduced in the idiopathic group. There were significant corresponding differences between the 2 groups in the fasting urinary hydroxyproline to creatinine ratio, an index of bone resorption, and serum total alkaline phosphatase, an index of bone formation. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels did not differ between the 2 groups and were above 10 ng/mL in all patients. Plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D] levels were normal in the hypogonadal group and significantly reduced in the idiopathic group, but did not correlate with any histological measurements. The formation indices fell substantially in 3 of 4 hypogonadal men after 7-14 months of therapy with testosterone and a calcium supplement. We conclude the following. In vitamin D-replete hypogonadal men with osteoporosis, 1,25-(OH)2D synthesis is normal, and bone remodeling is modestly increased and correctable by hormone replacement therapy, as in normal postmenopausal women. In middle-aged men with idiopathic osteoporosis, there is impairment of 1,25-(OH)2D synthesis and of the recruitment and activity of teams of osteoblasts, as in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Adult↗

Physiological responses in rats fed extracts of endophyte infected tall fescue seed.

Three trials involving 184 male Sprague Dawley rats were conducted to identify the biologically active fraction of endophyte-infected tall fescue seed. In trial 1, seed infected (greater than 95%) with the endophytic fungus Acremonium coenophialum and shown to be toxic to cattle, was serially extracted with hexane, ethylacetate, and methanol, respectively. A second sample of this seed was extracted with chloroform only. Controls included a solvent treatment (spraying the various solvents on endophyte-free seed and carrying the mixture to dryness), the seed post-extraction, endophyte-infected seed and endo-phyte-free seed. Laboratory chow was mixed with all diets to provide 50% of the mix. Trial 2 examined the same treatments as trial 1 except that the chloroform treatment was omitted. Dosages 3 times (equivalent to 22.5 g seed) those used in trial 1 were applied to endophyte-free seed (7.5 g) in an attempt to accentuate any differences. Trial 3 examined the methanol fraction extracted serially, a methanol fraction extracted batchwise, and a water fraction extracted batchwise. Controls included seed residues post-extraction, solvent residue from methanol sprayed on endophyte-free seed, and endophyte-infected seed. Lowered feed intake and weight gains, and depressed serum prolactin concentrations were used as indicators of toxicity. Feed intake was lower in all three trials for rats fed the methanol fraction. In all three trials mean serum prolactin concentrations in rats fed the methanol extracts were not different from those fed endophyte-infected fescue seed. Rats fed the water extract in trial 3 had lower feed intakes than rats fed endophyte-free seed. However, rats fed the seed, post-water extraction, had serum prolactin concentrations similar to that of the negative control. Results suggest that the toxic factor(s) may be concentrated in the methanol extract.

Acremonium↗

Performance of lactating dairy cows fed tall fescue forage.

Two trials were conducted during consecutive summers to compare performance of lactating cows fed four varieties of tall fescue soilage. The first trial was conducted in 1983 and the second in 1984 using 25 midlactation Holsteins. Treatments included endophyte-free Kenhy; 8.1% endophyte-infected Johnstone (a prevarietal release); endophyte-free Kentucky 31; 63% endophyte-infected Kentucky 31; and orchardgrass or alfalfa as controls. In 1983, concentrate was fed twice each day at the rate of 4.1 kg per feeding, and in 1984, 4.5 kg were fed twice daily for first 4 wk and 4.1 kg per feeding thereafter. Intake of Kenhy was higher than all other tall fescue treatments when data for both trials were combined. Means of the high endophyte Kentucky 31 group were lower than all other treatments during both trials for milk yield, dry matter intake, body weight change, and serum prolactin in 1984 while higher for rectal temperature. Improved intake and performance of the cows consuming Kenhy compared with those consuming endophyte-free Kentucky 31 indicated the improved forage quality of this variety. Decreased performance of dairy cows consuming endophyte-infected tall fescue, even at a relatively low infection, was evident.

Animal Feed↗

Euthyroid hyperthyroxinemia and inappropriate secretion of thyrotropin. Recognition and diagnosis.

Various disease states associated with euthyroid hyperthyroxinemia and inappropriate thyrotropin secretion are becoming increasingly recognized. These diagnoses were established in six (11%) of 57 patients referred for evaluation of elevated free thyroxine index over an 11-month period. Failure to separate these entities from primary thyrotoxicosis may result in unnecessary thyroid ablative therapy and subsequent clinical confusion. Several illustrative patient summaries are presented to outline an approach to this clinical challenge.

Adolescent↗

Efficacy of sulbactam-ampicillin in an induced Pasteurella haemolytica pneumonia model in calves.

Therapeutic efficacy of sulbactam, a beta-lactamase inhibitor, in combination with ampicillin was evaluated in an ampicillin-resistant Pasteurella haemolytica pneumonia model in cattle, using an IV agar emboli method of infection. Groups of cattle given vehicle (group 1, n = 19) or ampicillin (group 2, n = 8) had 74% and 50% mortality, respectively, whereas group 3 (n = 11) given sulbactam-ampicillin had no mortality. Morbidities were 100% in groups 1 and 2 and 27% in group 3. Retrospectively, mortalities and morbidities were significantly (P less than 0.001) lower for group 3 given sulbactam-ampicillin when compared with those in groups 1 and 2 given vehicle or ampicillin, respectively. Evidence of embolic pneumonic pasteurellosis was observed histologically.

Ampicillin↗

Immunodiagnosis of systemic mycoses in animals: a review.

Immunologic methods have been used with varying success in the diagnosis and prognosis of systemic mycoses in animals. Information on the application of the tests and on the interpretation of test results in monitoring therapy was complied. Serotesting provided diagnostic and prognostic data in immunocompetent patients, and predicted relapse in one case after apparent clinical cure. The tests were useful in the management of animals with mycoses that respond slowly and unpredictably to therapeutic agents for which pharmacologics and pharmacokinetics have not been established in domestic animals. Certain tests were not useful in some cases.

Agglutination Tests↗

Nuclear magnetic resonance study of high-energy phosphate stores in models of adriamycin cardiotoxicity.

Previous studies have suggested that one of the mechanisms of adriamycin (ADR) cardiomyopathy is depletion of high-energy phosphate stores (HEP). To examine this hypothesis, we used 31P nuclear magnetic resonance to assess the adenosine triphosphate-to-phosphocreatine ratio (ATP-to-PCr ratio) in Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts. Using either an acute (5 days of therapy at 5 mg/kg/day) or chronic model (7 to 10 weeks of therapy at 1.2 or 1.5 mg/kg twice a week), we compared isovolumetric LV systolic pressure, heart rate, ATP-to-PCr ratios, and histologic lesions between the treated and control animals in each model. In the acute model, there was a significant increase in the ATP-to-PCr ratio (P less than 0.02), without significant changes in myocardial function. Despite significant hemodynamic and histologic alterations in the chronic model, compared to controls, we were unable to identify significant differences in ATP-to-PCr ratios. We conclude that there appear to be differences in energy metabolism between the acute cardiotoxicity and the chronic cardiomyopathy of ADR in the rabbit model and the mechanism of the chronic cardiomyopathy from ADR therapy does not appear to be related to progressive impairment of cellular high-energy phosphate metabolism as measured by the ATP-to-PCr ratio.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Effect of feeding tall fescue seed infected by endophytic fungus (Acremonium coenophialum ) on reproductive performance in male rats.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding tall fescue seed infected by an endophytic fungus Acremonium coenophialum on the reproductive performance of male rats. Thirty 70-day-old rats were randomly allocated to four treatments: (I) fed 50% rat chow and 50% healthy fescue seed ad libitum (control; N=9; (II) same as I but restricted to the daily feed intake of III (N=7; (III) 50% fungal-infected fescue seed and 50% chow (N=7); and (IV) a mixture of 50% laboratory chow, 25% healthy fescue seed and 25% fungal-infected fescue seed (N=7). The rats were fed these diets for 42 days. During this time, body weights were taken weekly and feed intake was taken daily. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed and the testes and epididymides were excised and measured. Sperm parameters were assessed (concentration, percentage of motility and progressive motility) at the site of the cauda epididymis; the testes were homogenized and assessed for daily sperm production potential (DSP). Concentrations of spermatozoa (x 10(6)) among the various treatments were 645.6, 486.5, 387.4 and 457.1; motility and progressive motility measurements ranged from 48 to 50% and 2.3 to 2.4 (0-4), respectively. DSP values (per gram) and testicular weight were reduced (P<0.05) in Diet III. The data suggests that 50% fungal-infected fescue seed in the diet of rats does influence the DSP, testicular parechyma and epididymal weight in the rat.

Journal Article↗

Failure of inorganic lead exposure to impair natural killer (NK) cell and T lymphocyte function in rats.

Natural killer (NK)-cell and T-cell functions have been measured in rats following exposure to either 100 or 1000 ppm lead as lead acetate in drinking water. The capacity of splenocytes isolated from exposed animals to mediate native and interferon (IFN)-activated natural cytotoxicity was measured at three effector:target-cell ratios and found to be normal at all time points examined. Furthermore, splenic T-cell function of treated animals as determined by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-induced proliferation was comparable to control values. We conclude that low-level lead exposure is not associated with an impairment of either T-or NK-cell function.

Aminolevulinic Acid↗

Semiquantitative cultures of intravascular catheters from cancer patients.

Three-hundred seventy-nine catheter tips were prospectively cultured by both a semiquantitative method and by broth culture, over a 2-month period. One hundred eleven of the catheters were culture-positive in broth, and 47 of these were also culture-positive by the semiquantitative method. Clinical signs of infection were reviewed for the 111 culture-positive catheters and for 50 of the 268 culture-negative catheters. Both culture-positive and culture-negative catheters were infrequently associated with local signs of infection (10% and 12%, respectively). Culture-positive catheters, however, were more likely to be associated with systemic signs of infection than were culture-negative catheters (15% and 2%, respectively). Among the culture-positive catheters, those that yielded greater than or equal to 15 colonies on semiquantitative culture were more likely to be associated with septicemias than were those with less than 15 colonies (22% and 6%, respectively). Nevertheless, there were five catheter-related bacteremias that were associated with catheters which were culture-negative on semiquantitative culture but culture-positive in broth. The proportion of patients with culture-positive and culture-negative catheters who were febrile was similar (30% and 42%, respectively). Semiquantitative cultures of catheters from cancer patients are useful, but the result should be interpreted with some caution.

Bacterial Infections↗

Leukocyte ionized calcium and sodium content and blood pressure in humans.

The relationship between leukocyte ionized calcium concentration, sodium content, and blood pressure was studied in normotensive subjects with (n = 17) and without (n = 21) a family history of hypertension and in untreated patients with essential hypertension (n = 22). There was a highly significant correlation between intracellular ionized calcium and mean supine blood pressure (measured on the same occasion) in normal subjects with no family history of hypertension (r = +0.73, p less than 0.01). This relationship was lost in normal subjects with a family history of hypertension, and in hypertensive patients there was a nonsignificant negative correlation between intracellular ionized calcium and blood pressure (r = +0.08 and -0.31, respectively). Intracellular ionized calcium was similar in the normotensive groups (both, 126 +/- 7 nmol/L) and slightly but nonsignificantly elevated in hypertensive patients (143 +/- 10 nmol/L; p = 0.09). There was no correlation between intracellular ionized calcium and sodium content in any group (r less than 0.1). These results indicate that while leukocyte ionized calcium in normotensive subjects with no family history of hypertension may reflect smooth muscle contractility resulting in the positive correlation between leukocyte ionized calcium and blood pressure, this relationship is lost in hypertensive patients and subjects predisposed to hypertension. This may be due to an altered relationship between leukocyte and smooth muscle calcium handling in these subjects or to non-calcium-mediated influences on blood pressure.

Adult↗

Estrogen regulates placental androstenedione production during rat pregnancy.

During rat pregnancy the placenta appears to provide androgens, particularly androstenedione (delta 4A) as a source of precursor for estradiol (E2) formation by the ovary. The present study determined if the ovary and, specifically, estrogen have roles in regulating placental delta 4A production during the second half of rat pregnancy. Pregnant rats were ovariectomized (OVX) on day 9 of gestation, treated daily with 4 mg progesterone (P4) to maintain pregnancy, and received a Silastic capsule containing either E2 or oil on day 10 of gestation only. Placental steroidogenesis was then determined in vitro on day 14 by the ability of this tissue to convert [3H]pregnenolone ([3H]P5) substrate to the intermediate [3H]P4 and product [3H]delta 4A. Mean (+/- SE) placental formation of delta 4A from P5 increased (P less than 0.01) from 6.3 +/- 0.5% in control animals to 10.7 +/- 1.6% in OVX P4-treated rats. In contrast, placentae from OVX animals treated with P4 and E2 exhibited a decline in delta 4A formation (2.5 +/- 0.3%) compared to that in both control (P less than 0.01) and OVX P4-treated (P less than 0.001) animals. The amount of P5 converted to P4 and thus not further metabolized to delta 4A decreased (P less than 0.05) from 64.0 +/- 3.1% in control animals to 49.0 +/- 4.7% in OVX rats treated with P4 alone. However, OVX animals treated with P4 and E2 exhibited an increase in placental conversion of P5 to P4 (80.3 +/- 4.7%) compared to values in both control (P less than 0.05) and OVX P4-treated (P less than 0.001) animals. The peripheral serum concentrations of delta 4A and testosterone (T) were 3- and 2-fold greater (P less than 0.01), respectively, in OVX P4-treated animals compared to concentrations in the untreated controls. Rats that had been OVX and treated with both P4 and E2 had peripheral serum delta 4A and T concentrations that were approximately 10-15% (P less than 0.001) of the concentrations in OVX P4-treated animals. In conclusion, ovariectomy or ovariectomy and estrogen supplementation resulted in comparable alterations in the formation of delta 4A within the placenta and the concentrations of this steroid in the peripheral circulation. Thus, ovariectomy caused an elevation in and ovariectomy with E2 treatment caused a decline in both placental delta 4A formation and peripheral serum androgen concentrations. We suggest, therefore, that ovarian estrogen may feed back to inhibit placental delta 4A and T production, thereby regulating its substrate availability during the second half of rat pregnancy.

Androstenedione↗

Use of serum prolactin in rats as a determinant in detecting endophyte infected tall fescue seed.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of endophyte (Acremonium coenophialium) toxic tall fescue seed on serum prolactin, daily feed intake, and average daily weight gain in male rats. Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats (218 g) were randomly assigned to treatments of (I) rat chow (50%) plus an endophyte-free tall fescue seed (50%), (II) same as I only restricted feed intake as III, (III) rat chow (50%) plus endophyte infected tall fescue seed (50%) and (IV) rat chow (50%) plus endophyte infected tall fescue seed (25%) plus endophyte free tall fescue seed (25%). Dry matter intake and average daily gain were lower (P less than .05) for rats fed treatment II and III than for those fed treatment I and IV, with treatment IV being lower (P less than .05) than treatment I. Body weights on days 4, 11 and 21 followed the same trend with the rats fed treatment I having higher weights at each weigh period than those on treatments II, III and IV; and those fed treatment IV having higher weights at each period than those on treatment II and III. Baseline concentrations of serum prolactin were similar among treatments. Serum prolactin concentrations were lower (P less than .05) in rats fed treatment III and IV than in those fed treatment II, and those fed treatment I were not different from all others on day 4. On day 11, rats fed treatment I, III and IV had lower (P less than .05) serum prolactin concentrations than those fed treatment II.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acremonium↗

Symptomatic osteoporosis in a man with hyperprolactinemic hypogonadism.

A 66-year-old man presented with height loss, back pain due to an L4 vertebral compression deformity, and marked osteopenia shown by radial photon absorptiometry. The patient had small testes and a long history of infertility and impotence. Plasma testosterone was low (130 ng/dL; normal, 300 to 1000 ng/dL) with marked elevation of serum prolactin (590 ng/mL; normal, 0 to 15 ng/mL). High-resolution computed tomography showed an invasive pituitary macroadenoma with a secondary empty sella turcica. Bone histomorphometry showed low-normal trabecular bone volume with normal formation and resorption indices. The patient was treated with calcium carbonate supplements, testosterone replacement, and bromocriptine mesylate without subsequent progression of the osteoporosis. This first report of hyperprolactinemic hypogonadism in a man who presented with overt osteoporosis shows the importance of evaluating gonadal function in all osteoporotic men.

Aged↗