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Biomedical subjects

J Eng

Publications and source records attributed to J Eng.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Surgical removal of intracardiac foreign bodies.

When non-surgical methods for removing intracardiac foreign body have failed, surgical removal should be attempted. Two patients who had dislodged ventriculoatrial shunts for hydrocephalus underwent open removal of catheters, one from the pulmonary artery while the other from the right atrium. Both were successfully retrieved without cardiopulmonary bypass. We describe the clinical and radiological features, with a review of the indications and techniques available.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Endobronchial non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Endobronchial involvement in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is rare even in the presence of advanced disease. Two cases of endobronchial non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are presented and the findings in 31 previously reported cases reviewed. There were 16 cases with diffuse involvement in the presence of intra or extrathoracic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 15 cases with central airways involvement in the absence of clinically apparent systemic disease. Chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy is mandatory for all patients with disseminated disease and for those patients with primary endobronchial non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with residual disease after resection, or if resection is not feasible. Older patients should be treated with curative intent unless concomitant intercurrent illness precludes combination chemotherapy. Rapid deterioration in dyspnoea from airway obstruction in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may be relieved with a self-expanding endobronchial stent.

Bronchial Neoplasms↗
PubMed1993

In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing of rapidly growing mycobacteria using the tablet diffusion method: resistance pattern of Norwegian Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium chelonae isolates.

Thirty-one Norwegian clinical isolates of rapidly growing mycobacteria classified as Runyon's group IV, including 20 Mycobacterium fortuitum and 11 Mycobacterium chelonae strains, were found resistant to a majority of tuberculostatic agents. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for twelve other antimicrobial agents: amikacin, tobramycin, streptomycin, cefoxitin, imipenem, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, erythromycin, fusidic acid, co-trimoxazole and capreomycin. The agar plate dilution method was employed and compared with the agar tablet diffusion method. Regression lines were established correlating MIC values and inhibition zones. The agar tablet diffusion method was found to be a simple and useful method for testing antimicrobial susceptibilities of M. fortuitum and M. chelonae, and a good correlation between MIC values and zone sizes with twelve antimicrobial agents was revealed. Correlation coefficients for most of these antimicrobial agents were around -0.90. M. chelonae was generally more resistant than M. fortuitum. Four antimicrobial agents, capreomycin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and amikacin, showed differences between M. fortuitum and M. chelonae large enough to allow the zone diameter to be used diagnostically.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1993

Giant left ventricular aneurysm.

A 65 year old lady with known inferior left ventricular aneurysm presented with acute dysphagia and hoarseness. A barium swallow examination confirmed extrinsic compression of the oesophagus. Successful aneurysmectomy resulted in complete relief of the dysphagia and hoarseness. The clinical and radiological features are reviewed.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Truncated glucagon-like peptide-1 interacts with exendin receptors on dispersed acini from guinea pig pancreas. Identification of a mammalian analogue of the reptilian peptide exendin-4.

To find mammalian analogues of exendin-4, a peptide from Helodermatidae venoms that interacts with newly discovered exendin receptors on dispersed acini from guinea pig pancreas, we examined the actions of recent additions to the vasoactive intestinal peptide/secretin/glucagon family of regulatory peptides. In every respect tested, the truncated form of glucagon-like peptide-1, GLP-1(7-36)NH2, mimicked the actions of exendin-4. Like exendin-4, GLP-1(7-36)NH2 caused an increase in acinar cAMP without stimulating amylase release. GLP-1(7-36)NH2-induced increases in cAMP were inhibited progressively by increasing concentrations of the specific exendin-receptor antagonist, exendin(9-39)NH2. In dispersed acini from guinea pig and rat pancreas, concentrations of GLP-1(7-36)NH2 that stimulated increases in cAMP caused potentiation of cholecystokinin-induced amylase release. Binding of 125I-[Y39]exendin-4 or 125I-GLP-1(7-36)NH2 to dispersed acini from guinea pig pancreas was inhibited by adding increasing concentrations of unlabeled exendin-4 or GLP-1(7-36)NH2. We conclude that the mammalian peptide GLP-1(7-36)NH2 interacts with exendin receptors on dispersed acini from guinea pig pancreas. Exendin(9-39)NH2, a competitive antagonist of the actions of GLP-1(7-36)NH2 in pancreatic acini, may be a useful tool for examining the physiological actions of this peptide.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Exendin-4, a new peptide from Heloderma suspectum venom, potentiates cholecystokinin-induced amylase release from rat pancreatic acini.

We examined the actions of exendin-4, a new peptide isolated from Heloderma suspectum venom, on dispersed acini from rat pancreas. Exendin-4 caused a 3-fold increase in cAMP but did not alter cellular calcium concentration. Exendin-4-induced increases in cAMP were inhibited by an exendin-receptor antagonist, exendin (9-39)NH2, but not by VIP-receptor antagonists. Whereas up to 1 microM exendin-4 alone did not alter amylase release, potentiation of enzyme release was observed when the peptide (greater than 30 pM) was combined with cholecystokinin. Potentiation of amylase release was also observed when exendin-4 was combined with carbamylcholine, bombesin or a calcium ionophore, A23187. These results indicate that stimulation of exendin receptors on rat pancreatic acini causes an increase in cellular cAMP. Although this increase in cAMP alone does not result in amylase release, combination of exendin-4 with agents that increase cell calcium results in potentiation of amylase release.

Amylases↗
PubMed1992

Isolation and characterization of exendin-4, an exendin-3 analogue, from Heloderma suspectum venom. Further evidence for an exendin receptor on dispersed acini from guinea pig pancreas.

The recent identification in Heloderma horridum venom of exendin-3, a new member of the glucagon superfamily that acts as a pancreatic secretagogue, prompted a search for a similar peptide in Heloderma suspectum venom. An amino acid sequencing assay for peptides containing an amino-terminal histidine residue (His1) was used to isolate a 39-amino acid peptide, exendin-4, from H. suspectum venom. Exendin-4 differs from exendin-3 by two amino acid substitutions, Gly2-Glu3 in place of Ser2-Asp3, but is otherwise identical. The structural differences make exendin-4 distinct from exendin-3 in its bioactivity. In dispersed acini from guinea pig pancreas, natural and synthetic exendin-4 stimulate a monophasic increase in cAMP beginning at 100 pM that plateaus at 10 nM. The exendin-4-induced increase in cAMP is inhibited progressively by increasing concentrations of the exendin receptor antagonist, exendin-(9-39) amide. Unlike exendin-3, exendin-4 does not stimulate a second rise in acinar cAMP at concentrations greater than 100 nM, does not stimulate amylase release, and does not inhibit the binding of radiolabeled vasoactive intestinal peptide to acini. This indicates that in dispersed pancreatic acini, exendin-4 interacts only with the recently described exendin receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Isolation and amino acid sequences of opossum vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and cholecystokinin octapeptide.

Evolutionary history suggests that the marsupials entered South America from North America about 75 million years ago and subsequently dispersed into Australia before the separation between South America and Antarctica-Australia. A question of interest is whether marsupial peptides resemble the corresponding peptides of Old or New World mammals. Previous studies had shown that "little" gastrin of the North American marsupial, the opossum, is identical in length to that of the New World mammals, the guinea pig and chinchilla. In this report, we demonstrate that opossum cholecystokinin octapeptide, like that of the Australian marsupials, the Eastern quoll and the Tamar wallaby, is identical to the cholecystokinin octapeptide of Old World mammals and differs from that of the guinea pig and chinchilla. However, opossum vasoactive intestinal polypeptide differs from the usual Old World mammalian vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in five sites: [sequence; see text].

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Cat gastrinoma and the sequence of cat gastrins.

Following the curative resection of a pancreatic gastrinoma in a cat, gastrin peptides were purified from the tissue and sequenced. The sequence of cat gastrinoma G17 (18-34) confirms the previously published sequence. The sequence of cat G34 (1-34) is reported for the first time. The NH2-terminal portion of cat G34 differs from that of dog by having a Q (Gln) for L (Leu) at position 10 from the NH2-terminus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Leiomyosarcoma of the pulmonary artery.

Successful resection of a pulmonary artery leiomyosarcoma was performed in a patient with clinical features of chronic pulmonary embolism. With radical radiotherapy to the mediastinum and solitary right hip metastasis, the patient remained well 6 months later. The difficulty of accurate diagnosis is considered in the light of recent advances in the techniques of cardiac investigation.

Female↗
PubMed1992

Continuous paravertebral block for postthoracotomy analgesia in children.

Six children with a mean age of 10.6 years (range, 7 to 16 years) underwent thoracotomy for pulmonary and esophageal procedures. Postoperatively, continuous paravertebral block using an infusion of bupivacaine via an extrapleural catheter was used. Excellent analgesia was attained in all patients, with no requirement for opiates or other analgesic drugs. There were no pulmonary complications and no complications related to the continuous extrapleural infusion. We conclude that continuous paravertebral block is an effective and safe method for ++post-thoracotomy pain relief in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Giant epicardial lipoma.

A patient undergoing coronary artery bypass was found to have a giant epicardial lipoma weighing 1.36 kg which was excised uneventfully. The radiological and pathophysiological features are considered, and the options for management discussed.

Cardiac Tamponade↗
PubMed1992

Continuous extrapleural intercostal nerve block and post-thoracotomy pulmonary complications.

To evaluate the effects of continuous extrapleural intercostal nerve block on post-thoracotomy pain and pulmonary complications, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 80 patients undergoing elective thoracotomy for pulmonary (n = 47) or oesophageal (n = 33) procedures. In patients who received continuous bupivacaine infusion, the requirement for intramuscular opiate and rectal diclofenac was less, the score on a visual linear analogue pain scale lower and recovery of pulmonary function more rapid than in saline-infused controls. Postoperative pulmonary complications occurred in 35% of the saline group, but only 10% of the patients with bupivacaine infusion (p < 0.01). In patients with chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD), the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications was 54.5% in the saline group and only 4.5% in the bupivacaine group (p < 0.01). Among the patients without COAD there was no significant intergroup difference in such complications. We conclude that continuous extrapleural intercostal nerve block is effective for post-thoracotomy analgesia and reduces pulmonary complications of thoracotomy in patients with COAD.

Analgesia↗
PubMed1992

Exendin peptides.

Exendin-3 and exendin-4 are biologically active peptides isolated from venoms of the Gila monster lizards, H. horridum and H. suspectum, respectively. They were isolated using a chemical assay which detects peptides with amino-terminal histidine residues. Both are 39 amino acid peptides containing an amino-terminal histidine and a carboxyl-terminal serine amide and are members of the glucagon superfamily of peptide hormones. When tested in a dispersed pancreatic acinar cell assay, exendin-3 stimulates amylase release and with increasing concentrations causes a biphasic increase in cellular cAMP. In contrast, exendin-4 at concentrations up to 1 microM does not stimulate amylase release and produces a monophasic increase in cellular cAMP despite differing from exendin-3 by only two amino acid substitutions at positions 2 and 3 from the N-terminus. Endogenous Mammalian Analog to Exendins? The differences in biological activities can be explained by the observation that exendin-3 interacts with VIP receptors to stimulate amylase release, whereas exendin-4 does not. Both exendin-3 and exendin-4 interact with a putative exendin receptor on pancreatic acinar cells. The presence of this receptor was determined and defined by the ability of a specific inhibitor, exendin(9-39) amide, to abolish the increase in cAMP observed with 0.1-3 nM exendin-3 or exendin-4. The presence of the exendin receptor, although functionally undefined at the present time, predicts the existence of an endogenous mammalian analog to the exendin peptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Exendin-3, a novel peptide from Heloderma horridum venom, interacts with vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors and a newly described receptor on dispersed acini from guinea pig pancreas. Description of exendin-3(9-39) amide, a specific exendin receptor antagonist.

Exendin-3 increased cellular cAMP levels and amylase release from dispersed acini from guinea pig pancreas. Low concentrations (0.1-3 nM) caused a 12-fold increase in cAMP, whereas higher concentrations (0.3-3 microM) caused an additional 24-fold increase in cAMP. Maximal cAMP with the highest concentration tested was the same as the maximal response with secretin, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), peptide histidine isoleucine, helodermin, or helospectin-I. In terms of amylase release, exendin-3 had the same efficacy but was the least potent of these peptides. Exendin-3-induced increases in amylase release were inhibited by VIP receptor antagonists and the new peptide (greater than 0.1 microM) competed with radiolabeled VIP for binding sites on dispersed acini. Increasing concentrations of an exendin-3 fragment, exendin-3(9-39) amide, did not increase cAMP or amylase release but inhibited the increase in cAMP observed with 0.1-3 nM exendin-3. The fragment did not alter the effects of other peptides that are known to increase acinar cAMP. We conclude that exendin-3 interacts with at least two receptors on guinea pig pancreatic acini; at high concentrations (greater than 100 nM) the peptide interacts with VIP receptors, thereby causing a large increase in cAMP and stimulating amylase release; at lower concentrations (0.1-3 nM) the peptide interacts with a putative exendin receptor, thereby causing a smaller increase in cAMP of undetermined function. Exendin-3(9-39) amide is a specific exendin receptor antagonist.

Amylases↗