Biomedical subjects

L Bloodworth

Publications and source records attributed to L Bloodworth.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Complement mediated cell death is associated with DNA fragmentation.

In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that complement attack of target cells, in the presence of suitably high levels of serum, can induce the oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation characteristic of apoptosis. This phenomenon requires membrane permeabilisation induced by formation of the complete membrane attack complex and relies on physiologically relevant levels of serum. TUNEL analysis detected complement mediated DNA fragmentation as early as 30 min after the addition of serum and electron microscopy confirmed that chromatin became condensed after complement attack. Various experiments implicate serum DNase I as the mediator of this DNA fragmentation. Intriguingly, membrane permeability induced by melittin gave rise to similar serum dependent DNA fragmentation. The implications of these results for the study of apoptosis in vitro and in vivo are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Severe dothiepin intoxication--a report of two cases.

Two patients with severe dothiepin intoxication are described. The management of these cases is discussed and we draw attention to the prolonged elimination half-life of dothiepin and its metabolites, and the implication for treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Vitamin D3 metabolites in hypercalcaemic adults after kidney transplantation.

Vitamin D3 metabolites and iPTH were measured in 26 patients at various times after renal transplantation. Hypercalcaemia (serum Ca greater than 2.62 mmol/L, 14 patients) was associated with hyperparathyroidism (p less than 0.02) and raised 1,25(OH)2D3 (p less than 0.05) but raised 1,25(OH)2D3 was also found in most patients in the normocalcaemic group. Lower 25(OH)D3 concentrations were found in the group with normal 1,25(OH)2D3 compared to the group with elevated 1,25(OH)2D3 (p less than 0.05). Low values of 24,25(OH)2D3 were found in both the normocalcaemic and hypercalcaemic patients (p less than 0.002). Impaired creatinine clearance (less than or equal to 55 ml/min, mean: 38 ml/min) was not associated with reduced 1,25(OH)2D3. No difference in D3 metabolites was found between hypophosphataemic and normophosphataemic patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Drug associated acute interstitial nephritis: clinical and pathological features and the response to high dose steroid therapy.

Nine episodes of drug associated acute interstitial nephritis, in seven patients, were treated between 1972 and 1980. The drugs implicated were cotrimoxazole (three times), ampicillin, Magnapen (ampicillin and flucloxacillin), penicillin, gentamicin, paracetamol and bendrofluazide. The time from exposure to the onset of symptoms ranged from one to 30 days. Presentation was with acute renal failure, which was non-oliguric in five cases, accompanied by rash (four), fever (four), and loin pain (two). Renal biopsy was carried out in all cases, and showed a characteristic interstitial infiltrate comprising substantial numbers of lymphocytes and plasma cells, with a variable number of neutrophils, eosinophils and histiocytes. Immunofluorescence was negative in all four cases studied in the acute phase, and showed scattered deposits of IgG, IgM, IgA and C3 on the tubular basement membrane in one patient during recovery. Significant proteinuria and an abnormal urine deposit were present in all cases, and seven of nine had radiological evidence of enlarged kidneys. Seven episodes were treated with high doses of methyl prednisolone and in all there was a response with a diuresis or spontaneous fall in serum creatinine within 72 hrs, and recovery of virtually normal renal function. Of two cases who did not initially receive steroids, one improved more slowly and one developed chronic renal impairment.

Acetaminophen↗