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Biomedical subjects

M Johns

Publications and source records attributed to M Johns.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Circulating elevated levels of soluble CD23, interleukin-4, and CD20+CD23+ lymphocytes in atopic subjects with elevated serum IgE concentrations.

Circulating IgE protein levels, leukocyte counts, lymphocyte subsets, IL-4, and soluble CD23 levels were quantitated in 43 atopic and 19 nonatopic subjects. Mean values of IgE protein levels, total eosinophil counts, CD20+CD23+ cells (B cells with low-affinity IgE receptor), IL-4 and sCD23 levels were elevated in atopic patients compared with nonatopic controls. The results suggest that sCD23, IL-4, and CD20+CD23+ lymphocytes may play a role in the increased production of IgE in atopic subjects in a manner similar to that observed by other investigators in prior in vitro studies.

Adult

New IMI Diploma in Medical Illustration: one examination for one profession.

The Institute of Medical Illustrators has recently introduced its new Diploma Examination. Details are given on the basic philosophy of the Diploma, the entry qualifications required and the structure of the examinations. This information is of particular interest to all candidates wishing to undertake this examination.

Educational Measurement

A portable light source for bright light treatment.

A novel, portable, inexpensive bright light source is described. This unit, which has been demonstrated to exhibit physiological effects similar to those of the more conventional light boxes, offers a less restrictive home treatment for patients with seasonal affective disorder and sleep disorders.

Adult

Synthesis of oligophosphoseryl sequences occurring in casein. Identification of beta-elimination during phosphorylation.

The protected oligophosphoseryl peptides from bovine caseins, Z-Xxx-(Ser[PO(OPh)2])3-Glu(OBzl)-OBzl for Xxx = Ile, Val, Gly, Leu and Ph = phenyl, were synthesized in high yields by stepwise lengthening using Boc-Ser[PO(OPh)2]-OH as acylating carboxyl component and N-ethyl-N'-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride as coupling reagent. The hydrogenolytic deprotection (PtO2) was carried out with the valine derivative and with the tetrapeptide Ser[PO(OPh)2]3-Glu(OBz)-OBzl. Phosphorylation of oligoseryl peptides failed to give the expected products. Large scale phosphorylation of protected serine was carried out in the presence of triethylamine using absolute ether as a solvent. 2,2,2-Trichloroethyl group (Tc) was shown to be a useful phosphorus protecting moiety in phosphopeptide synthesis: Boc-Ser[PO(OTc)2]-OBzl, Z-Ser[PO(OTc)2]-OBzl and Boc-Glu(OBzl)-Ser[PO(OTc)2]-OBzl were synthesized in high yields using bis-(2,2,2-trichloroethyl) phosphochloridate.

Amino Acid Sequence

The effect of intravenous nutrition on muscle mass and exercise capacity in perioperative patients.

This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of four different types of perioperative intravenous nutritional support. Fifty-five patients undergoing routine major surgery were studied. They were prospectively assigned to one of four study groups. Group 1 received formal total parenteral nutrition (90 g amino acids, 3,000 calories as glucose, per day); Group 2, 100 g glucose per day; Group 3, 90 g amino acids per day; and Group 4, peripheral parenteral nutrition (90 g amino acids plus 1,600 calories, 60 percent as fat per day). Group 1 was maintained on therapy for 3 weeks and the other groups for 8 days. Nitrogen balance, maintenance of body cell mass, serum albumin levels, and maintenance of exercise capacity were measured. Patients receiving peripheral parenteral nutrition maintained their nutritional parameters, as did those receiving total parenteral nutrition. These infusions were both markedly superior to those receiving glucose alone or those receiving amino acids alone. Nitrogen balance was not correlated with maintenance of function, but maintenance of body cell mass was correlated with maintenance of exercise capacity (r = 0.66, p less than or equal to 0.01). We conclude that perioperative peripheral parenteral nutrition, in contradistinction to hypocaloric infusions of glucose or amino acids, is capable of maintaining postoperative muscle mass and function close to preoperative levels after major surgery, and in situations of relatively mild surgical stress, approaches the efficacy of total parenteral nutrition in this regard. A significant correlation exists between changes in body cell mass determined from isotope dilution and changes in the exercise capacity of large muscle masses.

Adult

Goals and mechanisms for training otolaryngologists in the area of geriatric medicine.

Population dynamics indicate that the need for services by otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons will increase. These requirements will also be more complex because of the prevalence of other diseases in the elderly and their varied social and psychological demands. To meet that need, additional research in head and neck disorders and physiology will be necessary. Current and newly developed information relating to geriatrics in otolaryngology must be incorporated into present training and continuing education programs to provide members of our specialty with enough background to adequately diagnose and treat head and neck disorders in the elderly. Otolaryngologist - head and neck surgeons and their elderly patients will benefit from the creation of centers and fellowships that study pathologic processes and normal physiologic change, and that train a new generation of physician-scientists committed to the care of elderly head and neck patients.

Aged

Endotoxin-associated protein: a potent stimulus for human granulocytopoietic activity which may be accessory cell independent.

Proteins coextracted with endotoxin, termed endotoxin-associated protein (EAP), have been shown to exert interleukin 1-like activities. The present studies demonstrate that EAP also exerts potent granulopoietic colony-stimulating activity (CSA) on human peripheral blood and bone marrow progenitor cells, comparable to that seen with various types of conditioned media. The CSA observed with EAP appeared to be heat (100 degrees C, 30 min) and trypsin resistant and partially pronase resistant. Similar resistance was observed with the porin proteins of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria, and similar CSA activity was observed with a purified porin preparation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The CSA of EAP could be demonstrated in human peripheral blood and bone marrow leukocytes rigorously depleted of monocytes, T lymphocytes, and B lymphocytes by treatment with specific monoclonal antibodies and complement.

Antigen-Presenting Cells

Response of cranial nerve abnormalities in nasopharyngeal carcinoma to radiation therapy.

Eighteen of 36 patients (50%) with the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma had cranial nerve deficits before definitive radiotherapy. Within this group of 18 patients, there were 34 cranial nerve abnormalities and four Horner's syndromes. Overall, 62% of cranial nerve deficits recovered completely (CR) and 32% recovered partially (PR), for a total response rate of 94% to definitive radiotherapy. The magnitude of response (complete versus partial) depended upon the individual cranial nerve and the pretreatment duration of the abnormality. All of the responses except one occurred within 1 month after the completion of therapy. Complete responses were not obtained when deficits had existed longer than 2 months. However, PRs were obtainable. Seven of seven cases of posttreatment new or recurrent cranial nerve deficits were caused by recurrent tumor. The actuarial 5-year disease-free survival for this group of 18 patients was 31%. The results indicate that patients with cranial nerve deficits will respond to definitive radiotherapy and long-term disease-free survival can be achieved in some patients.

Adolescent

Clinical evaluation of patients with metastatic squamous carcinoma of the neck with occult primary tumor.

Between 1976 and 1982, we systematically evaluated 33 patients with a diagnosis of metastatic squamous carcinoma of the neck (excluding the supraclavicular fossa) from an occult primary tumor. In 11 patients the primary lesion was identified by physical and indirect mirror examinations, in four by examinations done under anesthesia and panendoscopies, and in an additional three by random biopsies. Primary lesions were in the nasopharynx (five patients), hypopharynx (five), tonsillar fossa (three), epiglottis (two), lateral oropharyngeal wall (one), the base of the tongue (one), and the anterior tonsillar pillar (one). In 15 patients (45%), the primary lesion was not identified after complete evaluation; these patients remained free of primary lesions in the head and neck area during a follow-up of two to six years. Our results indicate that patients with metastatic carcinoma of the neck should have a complete evaluation before treatment is started; in the majority of these patients, the primary site can be identified, with a resultant change in the treatment plan. A review of the literature shows that metastatic squamous carcinoma of the neck with an unknown primary tumor is a treatable disease with a cure rate as high as 50%.

Adult

Cross-reactive antigens: their potential for immunization-induced immunity to Gram-negative bacteria.

The involvement of multiple species and serologic types in gram-negative bacteremia prompted evaluation of immunization with shared, cross-reactive antigens of gram negative bacilli. Active and passive immunization with Re chemotype mutants of Salmonella minnesota afforded significant protection against heterologous gram-negative bacilli and were considerably more effective than immunization with smooth S. minnesota or its Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd1 and Rd2 mutants. Since the lipopolysaccharide of the Re mutant is composed solely of 2-keto-3-deoxycotonate (KDO) and lipid A, the protective activity of antibody to the Re mutant and lipid A was evaluated. Immunization with Re mutant protected granulocytopenic rabbits against lethal bacteremia and protected mice against lethal challenge with heterologous endotoxins, whereas antibody to lipid A had no protective activity. In concomitant clinical studies, high titers of antibody to the Re mutant at the onset of bacteremia were associated with a significant diminution in the frequency of shock and death, which was independent of any effect of O-specific antibody.

Animals

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland occurs infrequently. A retrospective study at the University of Michigan indicates an incidence of 0.3% for all parotid tumors during a 25-year period. This conforms to the data presented by other large series. Before a diagnosis of primary squamous cell carcinoma can be made, mucoepidermoid carcinomas and metastic squamous cell carcinomas must be excluded.

Aged

Plexiglass cone.

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Equipment and Supplies