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Biomedical subjects

J East

Publications and source records attributed to J East.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Subxiphoid pericardial window in stable cardiac proximity injuries.

The use of the subxiphoid pericardial window (SPW) in evaluating stable patients with cardiac proximity injuries is presented in a short case series. There were 11 patients with four positive and seven negative SPW. There was one false positive and no false negatives. Review of the literature on the use of the SPW as a diagnostic tool in evaluating cardiac proximity injuries shows the SPW to be a rapid and reliable method of detecting occult cardiac injuries, and is especially useful in areas where emergency echocardiography is not available.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Pica during pregnancy in low-income women born in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To describe pica behavior (ingestion of nonfood items) in pregnant low-income Mexican-born women in Mexico and the United States. DESIGN: A convenience sample of informants was interviewed with a questionnaire containing open-ended and closed-ended questions. SETTING: A low-income community on the outskirts of Ensenada, Mexico, and clinics serving low-income people in southern California (Santa Ana, Bakersfield, and Los Angeles). PARTICIPANTS: Of a total of 225 Mexican-born women, 75 (33%) were interviewed in Ensenada, and 150 (67%) were interviewed in southern California. RESULTS: The prevalence of pica during pregnancy was 44% (n = 33) in the Ensenada group and 31% (n = 46) in the southern California group. Those who reported pica behavior more commonly had a relative who also practiced pica. CONCLUSION: The high reported rate of pica in this sample indicates that pregnant Mexican-born women should be screened for pica and educated about the potentially serious effects on the fetus and mother.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Control of infection in nursing homes: a risk-management approach.

The concept of risk addresses the probability that an untoward incident will occur. In the healthcare setting, professionals have a responsibility to identify risks over which they have some control and to take appropriate measures to minimise those risks. This process is referred to as risk management when actively undertaken. During our work with clinical and non-clinical staff in nursing homes, it became increasingly clear that old ritualistic habits remained and compromised effective infection control practice. To try to develop a more effective management of the risks associated with this environment, we worked with a number of homes to enable them to develop and implement a modified risk-management process in relation to infection control practice. The staff carried out a brief risk review, including assessment of: (a) Possible risk exposures; (b) Appropriate methods of control; (c) Selecting and implementing the best method of control; (d) Evaluating and monitoring improvements in risk reduction and patient outcomes. Tools were devised and utilised in three main areas: (1) Risks to the patient; (2) Risks to the staff; (3) Environmental risks and controls. These interventions are currently being evaluated. As there is little baseline data in this type of care environment, evaluation of the impact of these interventions will take some time to assess.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1994

Aneurysm of the gluteal artery.

One case of atherosclerotic gluteal artery aneurysm (GAA) is presented. The diagnosis was made preoperatively, and treatment involved ligation and division of the internal iliac artery only. This therapeutic option is discussed as the preferred one compared to the conventional two-step procedure.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Egg hatching activity of trihydroxylated eicosanoids in the barnacle Balanus balanoides.

Previous work has shown that eicosanoid hatching factors can be isolated from tissues of a variety of barnacle species. To further investigate the nature of barnacle hatching factor an eicosanoid fraction isolated from homogenates of the barnacle Balanus balanoides was purified on RP-HPLC and trihydroxy fatty acid fractions were bioassayed for hatching activity and analysed by GC-MS. The identified eicosanoids were 8,11,12-trihydroxy-5,9,14-eicosatrienoic acid, 8,11,12-trihydroxy-5,9,14,17-eicosatetraenoic acid, 10,11,12-trihydroxy-5,8,14,17-eicosatetraenoic acid and 10,13, 14-trihydroxy-4,7,11,16,19-docosapentaenoic acid. These studies suggest that barnacles possess a potent n-9 lipoxygenase which can metabolise either arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid or docosahexaenoic acid. The predominant eicosanoids common to all active fractions were either 8,11,12-trihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid or an isomer of 8,11-12-trihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, which suggests that a particular configuration of an 8,11,12 triol is barnacle hatching factor.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

An outbreak of pemphigus neonatorum.

During the summer of 1987, an epidemic of pemphigus neonatorum took place at Guy's Hospital. It involved more than 80 neonates in the maternity unit. Swabs from the umbilical stumps of the babies and from the noses of several attending midwives yielded Staphylococcus aureus of phage-type Group II 3A/3C. Despite an extensive disinfection policy, which included identification and treatment of carriers, the outbreak persisted for 3 months. Final resolution came only after detailed epidemiological research revealed those midwives most likely to be involved. After these had been singled out for further treatment, the outbreak ended. The epidemic strains were later subjected to reverse phage-typing, plasmid profiling and in vivo testing for production of epidermolytic toxin in order to confirm true carriers and cases. Retrospective analysis identified those persons most likely to have been responsible for propagation of the epidemic strain. The exact course of the outbreak was then clarified.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1989

In vitro fertilization of mouse ova by spermatozoa exposed isothermally to radio-frequency radiation.

Mouse spermatozoa were exposed in vitro for 1 h to 27- or 2,450-MHz CW RF radiation at SARs of 0 to 90 W/kg under isothermal (37 +/- 0.2 degrees C) conditions. Exposure at either frequency to RF radiation at SARs of 50 W/kg or greater resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the ability of irradiated sperm to fertilize mouse ova in vitro (P less than .05). Over the range of SARs there was no apparent difference in the effects of 27- vs. 2,450-MHz RF radiation. There were no readily detectable exposure effects on spermatozoan morphology, ultrastructure, or capacitation. The reduction of in vitro fertilization is attributed to a direct effect of RF radiation on spermatozoa rather than to heating.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Identification of the hatching factor of the barnacle Balanus balanoides as the novel eicosanoid 10,11,12-trihydroxy-5,8,14,17-eicosatetraenoic acid.

Barnacle egg hatching factor which is released into the mantle cavity where the egg masses are brooded and stimulates embryonic musculature resulting in hatching and liberation of the larvae into the sea has been isolated in a purified form from a common barnacle Balanus balanoides. Derivatised hatching factor has been analysed by GC-MS and identified as 10,11,12-trihydroxy-5,8,14,12-eicosatetraenoic acid, a novel eicosanoid probably formed from endogenous eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5w3). Hatching factor activity is the first specific physiological function to be established for this type of compound.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Naturally occurring agglutinins against trypanosomatid flagellates in the haemolymph of insects.

In vitro studies of the behaviour of the trypanosomatid flagellates Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania hertigi in the presence of cell-free haemolymph of locusts, Schistocerca gregaria and cockroaches, Periplaneta americana revealed the presence of parasite agglutinins. The range of normal values of agglutination titres was 2(-4) to 2(-13). Physico-chemical treatment of haemolymph indicated that these agglutinins are protein or glycoprotein in nature and are only partially affected by heat treatment below 65 degrees C, at which temperature incubation of haemolymph for 30 min abrogated all agglutination. Agglutination was not dependent on the presence of Ca2+ or Mg2+. Prior injection of locusts and cockroaches with T. brucei and L. hertigi significantly increased agglutinin titres between Days 4 and 6 in cockroaches (P less than 0.05) and from Days 2 to 4 when L. hertigi was inoculated into locusts. The induced differences in titres observed in locusts infected with T. brucei were not significant. Lysozyme levels were significantly increased after inoculation of T. brucei into cockroaches compared with placebo-inoculated and uninoculated controls. L. hertigi inoculation produced significant increases in lysozyme levels compared with controls between Days 1 and 7 in locusts and 3 to 6 in cockroaches. These studies indicate that, at least in easily manipulated model systems, induced responses to intrahaemocoelic inoculation to trypanosomes and Leishmania can occur. As far as we are aware this is the first report of an induced response of an insect to such important parasites. The possibility that induced responses in natural vector to this parasites occurs requires investigation.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1984

Modulation of phospholipase A2 activity associated with human sperm membranes by divalent cations and calcium antagonists.

Phospholipase A2 activity in sonicates and acid extracts of ejaculated, washed human sperm was measured using [1-14C] oleate-labeled autoclaved E. coli and 1-[1-14C] stearoyl-2-acyl-3-sn- glycerophosphorylethanolamine as substrates. Phospholipase A was optimally active at pH 7.5, was calcium-dependent, and exclusively catalyzed the release of fatty acid from the 2-position of phospholipids. The activity was membrane-associated, and was solubilized by extraction with 0.18 N H2SO4. Acid extracts of human sperm had the highest specific activity (1709 nmols /h per mg), followed by mouse, rabbit and bull, which were 105, 36 and 1.7 nmols /h per mg, respectively. para-bromophenacyl bromide inhibited human sperm phospholipase A2 activity, but mepacrine was without effect. In the presence of 1.0 mM added CaCl2, phospholipase A2 activity was inhibited by Zn2+ and Mn2+; whereas Cu2+, Cd2+, Mg2+, or Sr2+ had no effect. Zn2+ stimulated activity at low concentrations (10(-6) to 10(-8) M), and inhibited activity in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 10(-5) M. The extent of stimulation by low concentrations of Zn2+ was dependent on Ca2+ concentration; at 10(-7) M, Zn2+ activity was stimulated 160% with 0.5 mM CaCl2, and only 120% with 1.0 mM CaCl2. At low concentrations (10(-5) to 10(-7) M), methoxyverapamil (D600) and trifluoperazine stimulated human sperm phospholipase A2 activity, and trifluoperazine but not D600 produced almost complete inhibition between 10(-5) and 10(-4) M of the drug. The significance of human sperm phospholipase A2 activity and its modulation by Ca2+, Zn2+ and Mn2+ in the sperm acrosome reaction is discussed.

Acrosome↗
PubMed1983

Surface-active phospholipase A2 in mouse spermatozoa.

The partial characterization of a calcium-dependent phospholipase A2 associated with membranes of mouse sperm is described. Intact and sonicated sperm had comparable phospholipase A2 activity which was maximal at pH 8.0 using [1-14C]oleate-labeled autoclaved Escherichia coli or 1-[1-14C]stearoyl-2-acyl-3-sn-glycerophosphorylethanolamine as substrates. More than 90% of the activity was sedimented when the sperm sonicate was centrifuged at 100 000 X g, indicating that the enzyme is almost totally membrane-associated. The activity is stimulated 200% during the ionophore-induced acrosome reaction and is almost equally distributed between plasma/outer acrosomal and inner acrosomal membrane fractions. The membrane-associated phospholipase A2 had an absolute requirement for low concentrations of Ca2+; Sr2+, Mg2+ and other divalent and monovalent cations would not substitute for Ca2+. In the presence of optimal Ca2+, zinc and gold ions inhibited the activity while Cu2+ and Cd2+ were without effect. Incubation of sperm sonicates with 1-[1-14C]stearoyl-2-acyl-3-sn-glycerophosphorylethanolamine in the presence and absence of sodium deoxycholate demonstrated the presence of phospholipase A2 and lysophospholipase activities. No phospholipase A1 activity was detectable. Indomethacin, sodium meclofenamate and mepacrine, but not dexamethasone or aspirin, inhibited the sperm phospholipase A2 activity. Preincubation with p-bromophenacyl bromide inhibited phospholipase A2, suggesting the presence of histidine at the active site. The enzyme may play an important role in the membrane fusion events in fertilization.

Acetophenones↗
PubMed1980

The cellular basis of autoimmunity: precocious immunological maturity in NZB mice.

Attempts have been made to transfer, prevent or ameliorate the autoimmune haemolytic disease that develops spontaneously in all New Zealand Black mice at 8 (4-12) months and so define the cellular basis of the automimmune process. Lymphoid cell suspensions (spleen, bone marrow, thymus) from pre-autoimmune or autoimmune NZB donors were injected intraperitoneally into intact or neonatally thymectomized syngeneic or allogeneic (BALB/c) recipients at birth or at 4 weeks. Only splenocytes from autoimmune NZB mice consistently caused anti-red cell-autoantibodies (positive Coombs reactions) to appear in pre-autoimmune NZB and also in BALB/c recipients. Moreover, the speed of the response varied and provided a measure of the recipients' ability to control the influx of the autoantibody-producing splenocytes. The immunoregulation exercised by intact NZB mice decreased, and that of their neonatally thymectomized counterparts increased between 2-3 days and one month after birth. Thus, an immunosuppressive mechanism operating via the thymus exists in NZB mice even before they are born, and the data further imply that a population of extra-thymic suppressors, presumably stemming from the bone marrow, can also be mobilized. This latter contention is supported by the finding that inocula of adult syngeneic bone marrow cells delay Coombs conversion in thymectomized NZB recipients. Preliminary experiments were also designed to resolve conflicting evidence concerning the suppressive capabilities of dissociated thymocytes of 2-week-old NZB mice.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1979

Absence of ecotropic or recombinant murine leukaemia virus in preleukaemic and leukaemic X-irradiated NZB mice.

NZB mice X-irradiated with a single dose of 630 R when they were 1-month old developed a high incidence of histologically defined lymphocytic leukaemia 8--25 weeks later. We have screened for murine leukaemia viruses (MuLV) in the lymphoid tissues of 8 of these leukaemic mice, and in 8 "preleukaemic", apparently healthy NZBs killed 1 month post irradiation. Xenotropic, but not ecotropic or recombinant MuLV, was detected by in vitro co-cultivation of bone marrow, spleen and thymus with selectively permissive cell lines, followed by the immunofluorescence test for MuLV gs antigen, and the XC test. Our results are not consistent, therefore, with the concept that the factor causing the leukaemias was an oncogenic virus activated by X-irradiation.

Animals↗