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Biomedical subjects

K Wright

Publications and source records attributed to K Wright.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Control of interocular suppression as a function of differential image blur.

This experiment studied normal adults, normal children, and corrected strabismics with alternating fixation, evaluating their ability to detect information presented to one eye under viewing conditions which might affect their eye preference. An apparatus was used which allowed unconstrained, binocular viewing of a video monitor, but in which the image seen by one eye was blurred while that seen by the other eye was in sharp focus. Under these viewing conditions, subjects were asked to identify a sharply focused letter which was shown briefly to the eye which was seeing the blurred background image or to the one which was watching the well-focused image. The question was whether there would be general suppression of the eye that was shown a degraded background, causing a reduction in its ability to process other information being presented. The results indicate no performance penalty for children, a mild decrement in recognition accuracy for normal adults, and a severe deficit in the ability of corrected strabismics to attend to the eye which views a blurred image. These results suggest that the loss of binocular vision that accompanies childhood strabismus is not a result of an inherent sensitivity to blurring, insofar as such vulnerability is reflected by these acute testing conditions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

An overview of nursing process.

Nursing process is referred to as the basic framework for the practice of nursing, which allows the nurse to provide care in a systematic, organized fashion. Because nursing is an evolving profession, this framework is constantly being modified and adapted to current practice. Periodic analysis and review of the current trends in nursing process allow the practicing nurse to improve patient care. This article serves as an overview of observations on nursing process including historical data, a description of each of the five steps of nursing process, and application to daily practice.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of a synthetic gene encoding the extracellular domain of the human muscle acetylcholine receptor alpha-subunit.

To better define the antigenic sites on the human muscle acetylcholine receptor (AChR) that are involved in stimulating the production of pathogenic antibodies in myasthenia gravis (MG), the nucleotide sequence encoding the major extracellular domain of the AChR alpha subunit was chemically synthesized. The gene cassettes encoding amino acids (aa) 1-85 (AChR-I) and 86-210 (AChR-II), were cloned individually, and the coding sequence representing the complete major extracellular domain (aa 1-210; AChR-C) was obtained by subsequent fusion of cassettes encoding AChR-I and AChR-II. The genes were inserted into the inducible expression plasmid, pKK-223-3, and expressed in vitro and in vivo in Escherichia coli. Biological activity was demonstrated by immunoprecipitation of in vitro-synthesized AChR-C by sera from MG patients and by the alpha-bungarotoxin-binding activity of E. coli-synthesized AChR-II and AChR-C. The availability of the recombinant AChR polypeptides should facilitate studies on the molecular basis of the autoimmune response in MG.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

The coronary artery response to implantation of a balloon-expandable flexible stent in the aspirin- and non-aspirin-treated swine model.

Intracoronary stents may potentially alleviate some of the problems associated with coronary angioplasty. Since the anatomy and physiology of swine coronary arteries closely resemble those of humans, the response to implantation of the Glanturco-Roubin, balloon-expandable, flexible stent was studied in this model. Additionally, the effect of aspirin, 1 mg/kg/day orally, on this response was evaluated. Eighteen Hanford minature swine underwent stenting of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Two died within 24 hours of stent implantation. The 16 survivors were put to death at 4 (n = 4), 11 (n = 4), 28 (n = 4), 56 (n = 3), and 180 (n = 1) days. Angiographically, reduction of stent lumen diameter of 0.1 to 1.3 mm was observed and was maximum at 11 days, with gradual improvement at subsequent time periods. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and light microscopy showed early disruption of subjacent endothelium, and adherence of platelets to exposed subendothelium and stent wires. Microthrombi were readily apparent. At 11 days, intimal thickening, made up predominantly of smooth muscle cells with abundant extracellular matrix, was observed and covered the stent wires. At 28 days, regression of intimal thickening was apparent and a confluent endothelium with flow-directed orientation was seen. At 56 and 180 days, the luminal surface was smooth; intimal thickening averaged 525 microns over the stent wires and 55 microns away from the wires. Findings in aspirin-treated animals were similar to results in those that did not receive aspirin. Thus in this swine model, stent implantation results in a time-dependent and self-limited vascular response.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1991

Esophageal endoprosthesis therapy.

Currently various methods for the treatment of obstructing esophageal lesions are used in the endoscopy setting. The placement of an endoscopic esophageal endoprosthesis (stent) offers a palliative form of therapy for esophageal cancer designed to enhance the patient's quality of life. The gastroenterology nurse or associate must be familiar with the various types of prostheses available, methods of insertion and patient care needs related to esophageal stent placement in order to provide optimal patient care. This article offers a review of esophageal endoprosthesis therapy. The various types of endoprostheses utilized in the United States, insertion techniques, advantages and disadvantages of stent placement and implications for patient care will be discussed.

Esophageal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1991

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with complete hepatic venous isolation and extracorporeal chemofiltration: a feasibility study of a novel system.

When chemotherapeutic drugs with low liver extraction are used for hepatic arterial infusion (HAI), dosage limits are usually determined by systemic rather than hepatic toxicity. If such agents could be administered by HAI at dosages limited by hepatic toxicity, regional drug exposure and therapeutic efficacy might be significantly enhanced. We report herein a novel system that achieves complete hepatic venous isolation using a dual-balloon vena cava catheter that can be inserted percutaneously. This catheter is connected to a carbon filter in an extracorporeal venous bypass circuit to recover drug that is not absorbed by the liver after HAI. The hemodynamic response to this system was evaluated in six pigs. When the animals were placed on the extracorporeal circuit, we observed a 22% decrease in cardiac output that was well tolerated without significant change in blood pressure. When the filter was incorporated into the circuit, cardiac output was significantly reduced (50%); however, continuous infusion of phenylephrine rapidly normalized blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, and left ventricular filling pressures. Initial testing of chemofiltration efficacy was performed in four of the six animals, the remaining two animals being used only to assess hemodynamic response. One each of the four tested animals received either doxorubicin (3 or 9 mg/kg), mitomycin C (1 mg/kg), or cisplatin (1 mg/kg) by HAI. The filter removed over 90% of hepatic venous doxorubicin and mitomycin C and 65% of hepatic venous cisplatin. This feasibility study confirms that hepatic venous isolation with chemofiltration can significantly reduce systemic exposure to high-dose chemotherapeutic agents given by HAI.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Opportunities for using computers in speech and language therapy: a study of one language unit.

Whilst the use of information technology is increasing in importance as an aid to speech and language therapy, its introduction has so far been unsystematic. Systems analysis methodologies for assessing how information technology can best be employed have been developed for use in the business world. The present study used one such methodology--Checkland's soft systems--to investigate which aspects of the activities of one language unit were most likely to be improved or helped by the introduction of new technology. Such an approach was found to yield useful insights and several opportunities for increased computer use were revealed. However, it was also concluded that, to take maximum advantage of new technology, changes would need to be introduced and resources made available at a higher organisational level than that of the individual unit or department.

Child↗
PubMed1991

Regulation of cytochrome P450IIC12 expression by interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-6, and dexamethasone.

During the acute phase response to bacterial endotoxin in rats, hepatic levels of cytochrome P450IIC12 [AH, reduced flavoprotein:oxygen oxidoreductase (RH hydroxylating), EC 1.14.14.1] (P450IIC12) apoenzyme and mRNA are suppressed. We set out to determine the effects of potential humoral mediators of inflammation on the expression of P450IIC12 in female rats. A single injection of 12,000 or 60,000 units of interleukin-1 alpha had no effect on total cytochrome P450 content or P450IIC12 mRNA measured 12 hr later, although P450IIC12 apoenzyme was slightly but significantly increased by the higher dose. In the second experiment, animals were given dexamethasone (100 micrograms/kg at -30 min), interleukin-1 alpha (30,000 units/kg at 0, 2, and 4 hr), or both and were sacrificed at 12 hr. Treatment with interleukin-1 alpha alone significantly suppressed total cytochrome P450, P450IIC12 apoenzyme, and P450IIC12 mRNA to 77, 53, and 65% of control levels, respectively; beta-actin mRNA was significantly increased (206% of control levels). Treatment with dexamethasone alone suppressed total cytochrome P450 and P450IIC12 mRNA (73% of controls) but did not significantly affect P450IIC12 apoenzyme measured 12.5 hr later. Again, beta-actin mRNA was increased. When both interleukin-1 alpha and dexamethasone were given, total cytochrome P450 and P450IIC12 mRNA (43% of controls) were suppressed, and beta-actin mRNA was significantly increased. In the third experiment, animals were injected at 0 and 12 hr with dexamethasone (83 micrograms/kg), interleukin-6 (33 micrograms/kg), or both. Interleukin-6 alone did not significantly affect total cytochrome P450 or P450IIC12 apoenzyme or mRNA. Dexamethasone alone suppressed P450IIC12 apoenzyme and mRNA (to 52 and 41%, respectively, of controls). Treatment with both interleukin-6 and dexamethasone significantly suppressed total cytochrome P450 and P450IIC12 apoenzyme and mRNA; suppression of P450IIC12 mRNA (to 16% of controls) was greater than with dexamethasone alone. No change in the transcription rate of CYP2C12 was observed 24 hr after initiation of treatment with dexamethasone (83 micrograms/kg at 0 and 12 hr) or 12 hr after initiation of treatment with interleukin-1 alpha (30,000 units/kg at 0, 2, and 4 hr). We conclude that, in this model, interleukin-1 alpha and glucocorticoids are important mediators of the suppression of hepatic P450IIC12 expression during inflammation. Interleukin-6 was not as potent, but it did potentiate the effects of dexamethasone. Suppression of P450IIC12 expression by dexamethasone and interleukin-1 alpha appeared to be mediated at a pretranslational level, but the possibility of a transcriptional effect needs to be further investigated.

Actins↗
PubMed1990

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional suppression of P450IIC11 and P450IIC12 by inflammation.

Induction of inflammation in rats by treatment with endotoxin or turpentine is known to suppress levels of hepatic mRNAs for P450IIC11 and P450IIC12. We report that transcription of CYP2C12 in female rats is not significantly reduced from control levels; suppression of this gene during inflammation appears to be mediated post-transcriptionally. In contrast, transcription of CYP2C11 in male rats is reduced to 23% and to 5% of control levels by turpentine and by endotoxin, respectively. Sex-specificity of CYP2C11 expression is also regulated transcriptionally, whereas sex-specificity of CYP2C12 expression appears to be regulated by a post-transcriptional mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Adjuvant therapy for intracoronary stents. Investigations in atherosclerotic swine.

Early thrombosis has complicated human stent implantation in several trials. To determine the best anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy to maintain stent patency after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, we implanted the flexible balloon-expandable coil stent into the left anterior descending coronary artery of 28 atherosclerotic 8-month-old Hanford miniature swine. Animals were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: group A, aspirin (1 mg/kg/day) and dipyridamole (1 mg/kg three times a day); group B, aspirin and dipyridamole (same doses) plus Coumadin (dose required to prolong prothrombin time 1.3-1.5-fold that of normal); and group C, control. Adjuvant therapy was begun 3 days before stenting. Two pigs (one from group A and one from group B) died during implantation, both without thrombosis. Twenty-six animals survived until follow-up angiography and sacrifice at 1 month. No occlusive thrombosis of the stent occurred in survivors. Reduction of the stent lumen diameter was observed in every case at follow-up. Percent lumen reduction was 19% in group A, 26% in group B, and 24% in group C. Marked smooth muscle cell hyperplasia was seen by light and transmission electron microscopy at stent struts. Scanning electron microscopy of the luminal surface showed a variable morphology consisting of normal endothelium, adherent leukocytes, stellate periluminal cells, and occasional fibrin strands and red blood cells. Luminal narrowing was not affected by anticoagulation therapy, antiplatelet drugs, cholesterol level, or stent sizing. We conclude that occlusive thrombosis does not complicate stent implantation in this model but that substantial luminal narrowing due in part to smooth muscle hyperplasia does occur. The significance of luminal narrowing at the stent site requires further study.

Angiography↗
PubMed1990

Organic diseases mimicking atypical eating disorders.

The authors present three case studies of patients referred to Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, for evaluation of possible eating disorders. The atypical manifestations of the cases warranted further investigation, which revealed an organic basis for their weight loss. The authors summarize the typical findings of bulimia and anorexia nervosa and discuss the clues from the case studies that mandated further evaluation.

Adolescent↗