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Biomedical subjects

J Denny

Publications and source records attributed to J Denny.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Renal disease burden following liver transplantation.

UNLABELLED: Significant chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs following orthotopic liver transplant (OLT). Since CKD is associated with increased cardiovascular events, mortality, and hepatic allograft dysfunction, early recognition of CKD and implementation of changes may improve the long-term outcome. The purpose of this study was to determine the burden of renal disease following OLT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our OLT recipients from 1997 until 2004. We calculated glomerular filtration rates (GFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study (MDRD) method. The GFRs were further subdivided into pre-MELD and post-MELD eras. RESULTS: During the study period, we performed 407 OLTs. We censored data from living donor liver transplants (n = 14), combined liver-kidney transplants (n = 12), and from patients whom we did not have complete data for 6 months after transplant (n = 40). Mean MELD score at the time of transplant was 18 +/- 7 (mean +/- standard deviation). The mean GFR at 6 months following OLT was 63.7 +/- 30.2 mL/min per 1.73 m(2). Only 14% (n = 47) of our patients had normal renal function at 6 months, while 78% (n = 266) of our patients had mild to moderate risk for renal failure. Eight percent (n = 28) had stage 4 or 5 CKD. There were no differences between the pre-MELD and post-MELD GFRs. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of renal disease is significant in our patient population at 6 months posttransplantation. It may be important to introduce CKD management as early as 6 months after transplant to impact the outcomes of OLT recipients.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Optimization of a precision-cut trout liver tissue slice assay as a screen for vitellogenin induction: comparison of slice incubation techniques.

An in vitro male rainbow trout liver slice assay has been developed for long-term incubation of precision-cut slices for the detection of vitellogenin (VTG) protein induction in response to xenobiotic chemicals. The assay was optimized to allow 72 h of incubation of slices to maximize detection of VTG, while maintaining slice viability. Two methods of incubation frequently used with rat liver slices were compared: (1) slices were submerged in media (11 degrees C) and cultured in 12-well plates (PL) with continuous shaking; or (2) slices were floated onto titanium screens, placed into glass vials, and held under dynamic organ culture (DOC) conditions (11 degrees C). Slices (200 µm) in modified L-15 media were exposed to 1.0 µM 17beta-estradiol (E2) or diethylstilbestrol (DES). Protein from media and slice was sampled for Western blot analysis, using a polyclonal antibody to detect appearance of VTG protein. Maximum VTG was seen at 72 h, with detectable protein at 24 and 48 h in slices and media following PL incubation. In contrast, slices incubated in DOC showed little detectable VTG above background levels after 72 h. This difference was not attributable to protein loss to vial or plate surfaces. Standard viability assays did not reveal any differences between slices incubated in PL or DOC. However, histopathological examination revealed earlier and more severe vacuolization in slices incubated in DOC. Significantly more E2 uptake and conversion to water-soluble metabolites was noted in PL, compared with DOC, as well as more production of VTG in response to DES and E2, correlated with less histologic change. The in vitro assay described allows tissue-level assessment of estrogenicity in aquatic organisms, and will be useful for assessing not only comparative species receptor binding and transactivation, but also the role of tissue-specific activation factors in the estrogenic response of fish.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Imaging membrane protein helical wheels.

Resonance patterns have been observed in 2D solid-state NMR spectra of the transmembrane segment of M2 protein from Influenza A virus in oriented samples reflecting the helical wheel of this alpha-helix. The center of this pattern uniquely defines the helical tilt with respect to the bilayer normal without a need for resonance assignments. The distribution of resonances from amino acid specific labels around the "PISA wheel" defines the rotational orientation of the helix and yields preliminary site-specific assignments. With assignments high-resolution structural detail, such as differences in tilt and rotational orientation along the helical axis leading to an assessment of helical coiling, can be obtained.

Influenza A virus↗
PubMed2000

Target-specific rib biopsy using the gamma probe.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative localization of rib abnormalities identified on bone scan can be deceptively difficult. Previously used techniques have had limited sensitivity and accuracy. The gamma probe can help localize these bone scan "hot spots." METHODS: Over the past 17 months, 5 patients underwent gamma-probe-directed limited rib resections following intravenous administration of Tc99m-MDP. Three patients required biopsies for suspected malignancy, and the other 2 underwent therapeutic resections for pain. The device was easy to work with following minimal training. RESULTS: Localization was excellent, limiting the extent of surgery needed. Comparison with rib counting and preoperative bone scan localization showed a discrepancy of up to 13 cm. Sensitivity and accuracy were each 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The gamma probe offers a simple and significant advance in the performance of rib biopsies for nonpalpable lesions.

Biopsy↗
PubMed2000

Fifteen-year experience with pediatric renal transplantation at the Montefiore Medical Center.

At Montefiore Medical Center, 140 pediatric recipients have received 155 renal allografts over a 16-year period with an overall 6% mortality. Graft survival was not significantly different based upon race or sex of recipient. Graft survival was significantly better for first time transplants and the youngest recipients. Graft survival was significantly improved using Tacrolimus immunosuppression.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed1997

A support group intervention to facilitate young adults' adjustment to cancer.

Results of a previous survey of 46 young adults with cancer led to the development of a professionally led support group to address their unique concerns. The intervention combined group therapy techniques with Psychoeducational strategies in six weekly sessions on the topics of anxiety about health and physical well-being, worry about fertility and raising children, problems in relationships, financial concerns, and body image. Pretest and posttests demonstrated significant improvement in the 14 participants' scores on a measure of psychological well-being but no changes in coping mechanisms or overall quality of life. Practice recommendations include expanding the group to eight sessions and providing less structure. Arguments in favor of time-limited group interventions for cancer patients are presented.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1993

Bush's and Clinton's fat cats.

As the 1992 presidential race went into full swing, Republican and Democratic fundraisers were busy soliciting $100,000 donations from corporations, labor unions and wealthy individuals. This kind of money is supposedly illegal in presidential campaigns, but both parties have found a way to launder it: by channeling it through their state affiliates and calling it "soft money." Whatever its name, it is compromising the integrity of the system.

Economics↗
PubMed1993

Risky business: how insurance companies gamble with your health coverage.

Under a patchwork of state laws and virtually no federal oversight, a decade of risky investments, questionable business dealings, lavish spending, and help-yourself ethics in the insurance industry is playing a hidden role in the crisis in affordable medical coverage. Skyrocketing medical costs are the main culprit, but financial losses have put pressure on insurers to raise premiums and cancel risky policyholders. The losses also are a major factor in the sharp increase in life/health insurance company failures, which can leave policyholders stranded.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Plans↗
PubMed1986

Continuous wave ultrasound measure of neonatal cerebral blood flow.

We report cerebral blood flow (CBF) values for healthy neonates in five gestational age categories for 9 single and 7 combination measures of continuous wave Doppler ultrasound. Combinations of measures, particularly those from the anterior cerebral artery with a 5.0 MgH probe, increased the reliability and validity. The most reliable and valid single measure was mean flow velocity from the anterior cerebral artery (5.0 MgH probe). CBF values were lower for neonates with respirator support than for neonates without respirator support. No significant differences were found in CBF measures between intubated neonates who developed IVH and intubated neonates who did not develop IVH. Neonates who were intubated and developed intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) were treated more vigorously than those who were intubated and did not develop IVH. By day 6, neonates with IVH had a significantly higher mean pH, mean serum bicarbonate, and mean positive base balance.

Apgar Score↗
PubMed1983

Development of a scoring system for the Milani-Comparetti and Gidoni method of assessing neurologic abnormality in infancy.

This article reports the results of using a scoring system designed for the Milani-Comparetti and Gidoni method of neurologic examination of infants. The system was used in the assessment of 999 infants from the neonatal intensive care units affiliated with the Medical College of Wisconsin. The sample included all neonates who spent more than five days in the units from 1975 to 1978. Full assessments were conducted at 6 months and at 15 to 16 months corrected gestational age; additional assessments were scheduled by the physical therapists. For data analyses, the scores from the Milani-Comparetti and Gidoni method were summed; infants were subdivided into normal, transiently abnormal, and abnormal on the basis of the summed scores. Abnormal infants were further categorized on the basis of all information available. Several data analyses were performed to test the contribution of each item in separating normal, transiently abnormal, and abnormal infants and in distinguishing one type of abnormality from another. We conclude that the scoring system is useful in quantifying the degree of abnormality, in separating normality from abnormality, and in distinguishing among types of abnormality.

Aging↗
PubMed1983

Changes in cerebral hemodynamics in preterm infants with and without patent ductus arteriosus.

We compared anterior cerebral pulsatility index (ACPI), anterior cerebral mean flow velocity (ACMFV), common carotid pulsatility index (CPI) and common carotid mean flow velocity (CMFV) in three groups of preterm infants with birthweights less than 1500 grams: 6 without evidence of PDA (group A), 6 with PDA treated with fluid restriction, diuretics or digoxin (group B) and 6 with surgical ligation of PDA (group C). Infants were assessed in three time periods: the first four days of life, five days before surgical ligation and five days post-ligation. Analyses of variance showed no significant differences in the three groups for the four measures in time 1. In time 2, ACPI was 0.61 for group A, 0.58 for group B, 0.78 for group C (p less than 0.01). ACMFV was 9.22 for group A, 7.71 for group B, 6.37 for group C (p less than 0.05). CPI was 0.84 for group A, 0.83 for group B, 0.90 for group C (NS); CMFV was 7.80 for group A, 5.63 for group B, 4.28 for group C (p less than 0.01). In time 3, significant differences (p less than 0.01) were found only for CMFV.

Blood Flow Velocity↗