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Biomedical subjects

M Post

Publications and source records attributed to M Post.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Dexamethasone prevents hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in the neonatal rat.

Glucocorticoid therapy is frequently used in perinatology and neonatology for its beneficial pulmonary effects. We investigated the influence of neonatal glucocorticoid administration on brain damage caused by a concurrent episode of cerebral hypoxia-ischemia. Various doses of dexamethasone in several treatment schedules were administered to 7-d-old rats that were also subjected to unilateral cerebral hypoxia-ischemia. In 79% of control rats, a large unilateral cerebral infarction occurred, whereas all rats pretreated with dexamethasone in doses of 0.01 to 0.5 mg/kg/d for 3 d had no infarction (p less than 0.001). The neuroprotective effect of dexamethasone pretreatment was dose- and time-dependent. Treatment with dexamethasone after the insult or with lower doses before the insult did not prevent infarction. The neuroprotective effect was not immediate: single doses 0 to 3 h prehypoxia were not effective but a single dose 24 h before hypoxia-ischemia prevented cerebral infarction. The results demonstrate that glucocorticoid administration in the neonatal period, even in low doses, protects the brain during subsequent periods of hypoxia-ischemia.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Transferrin gene expression and transferrin immunolocalization in developing foetal rat lung.

In previous studies we have shown that transferrin (Tf) specifically stimulates dermatan- and chondroitin-sulphate proteoglycan accumulation around lung cells, and in the extracellular matrix of lung tissue, in vitro. The aim of this study was to determine whether the gene for Tf was activated in specific lung cells during development, and whether the protein product showed evidence of association with extracellular matrix. The expression of the gene in developing lung was shown by the hybridization of a Tf cDNA to a 2.4 kb (kilobase) mRNA species in total RNA extracts of foetal lung. The expression of the Tf gene in comparison to a control gene (GAPD, glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase) was greatest in 19, 20 and 21 day foetal lung, rising from low levels on day 18 and decreasing markedly at term (day 22). Extracts of RNA from primary cultures of mesenchymal fibroblasts and type II epithelial cells were also analysed for Tf mRNA. These experiments indicated that Tf gene expression was predominantly confined to the mesenchymal compartment. The presence of Tf in histological sections of foetal lung was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and showed a distinct pattern, with intense staining of the alveolar and the capillary basement membranes. The matrix surrounding the mesenchymal fibroblasts was stained in a diffuse network while epithelial cells were unstained. The staining was low from days 12-16 of gestation, increased to a maximum at days 19-20 but decreased markedly toward term. The Tf staining did not co-localize with transferrin receptor, also demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. These results suggest that Tf is not only present at specific sites in the developing lung, but also is synthesized according to a strict developmental schedule of gene expression.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

The response of small vessel endothelial cells from fetal rat lung to growth factors.

Small vessel pulmonary endothelial cells were obtained from rat fetal lung at day 20 of gestation, and were maintained in culture to passage three for study. Endothelial cells grown on a collagen matrix with Dulbecco's minimal essential medium: Ham's F12 medium (1:1, v/v) supplemented with 20 ml/l fetal bovine serum, bovine pituitary extract (50 mg/l), endothelial cell growth supplement (100 mg/l), hydrocortisone (1 mg/l) and an increased (10 mmol/l) magnesium concentration retained the characteristic endothelial cell marker factor VIII antigen during the third passage in culture. The factors responsible for small vessel growth in the developing fetal lung are unknown. To test the hypothesis that small vessel pulmonary endothelial cells would respond to autocrine or paracrine growth factors the effects of conditioned media from fetal lung endothelial cells, fibroblasts and pneumocytes from lungs of the same gestational age were studied in vitro. None of the tested conditioned media had any effect on endothelial cell DNA synthesis in the presence of 20 ml/l fetal bovine serum. Since no paracrine or autocrine effects of conditioned media were observed, the effect of other growth factors that could be derived from the circulation, or from storage sites in subcellular matrix, were studied for effect. When endothelial cells were studied in the presence of 20 ml/l fetal bovine serum and 100 mg/l endothelial cell growth supplement they had enhanced DNA synthesis in response to the progression-type growth factors insulin (5 mg/l), insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor-II (20 micrograms/l) and epidermal growth factor (10 micrograms/l). In the absence of serum or endothelial growth supplement endothelial cell DNA synthesis was enhanced by the competence-type growth factors acidic and basic fibroblastic growth factors at 100 micrograms/l and platelet derived growth factor at 10 micrograms/l. In the absence of exogenous competence-type growth factors neutralizing antibodies to basic fibroblast growth factor reduce DNA synthesis. Of various cytokines tested only interleukin-1 (1 x 10(3) U/l) and tumor necrosis factor (25 x 10(4) U/l) had an effect on endothelial cell DNA synthesis. Endothelial cell division during fetal lung development may be controlled by progression growth factors present in serum, and by either autocrine release of the competence factor basic fibroblast growth factor or paracrine release of platelet-derived growth factor by other cell types.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Cellular basis of an avian countercurrent multiplier system.

A kidney from the budgerigar (budgie, parakeet; Melopsittacus undulatus) is composed of cortical reptilian-type nephrons (without loops of Henle) and mammalian-type nephrons (with loops) grouped together in medullary cones. The loop of the mammalian-type nephrons has a descending segment composed of thin and highly interdigitated cells. These thin limb cells have few mitochondria (15% of cell volume), undetectable Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity, and virtually no basolateral surface amplification. Prior to the hairpin turn, the descending limb thickens, but the cells continue to lack basolateral amplification. Cells just prior to and within the hairpin turn resemble cells of the entire ascending limb. These cells are thick (there is no thin ascending segment in the avian loop), with extensive infoldings of the basolateral membrane surrounding numerous mitochondria (45% of cell volume). The area of basolateral membrane is 25 times that of the apical membrane. The basolateral membrane (but not the apical membrane) is enriched in Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity. The structure of the avian mammalian-type nephron (as epitomized by the budgie nephron) and the fact that NaCl accounts for over 90% of the osmotic activity of avian urine leads to the conclusion that the countercurrent multiplier of the avian kidney functions by active NaCl transport from the entire ascending limb. No explanation is offered for the transport specializations found in the thick descending segment of the loop, just prior to the hairpin turn.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Bioelectric properties of fetal alveolar epithelial monolayers.

To investigate the bioelectric properties on one of the cell types that line the distal lung unit, we isolated type II alveolar epithelium from 18- to 20-day gestation fetal rats (term = 22 days) and grew them on collagen-coated nitrocellulose filters. Amiloride impaired ion transport in a dose-dependent fashion (10(-4) to 10(-6) M) with 10(-4) M decreasing potential difference (PD) (mean +/- SE, 2.0 +/- 0.49 to 0.9 +/- 0.26 mV, P less than 0.01, lumen negative) and short-circuit current (Isc) (7.0 +/- 1.0 to 2.4 +/- 0.64 uA/cm2, P less than 0.01) without affecting resistance (R) (241 +/- 33 to 216 +/- 41 omega. cm2). Benzamil (10(-5) M) but not dimethylamiloride (10(-5) M) decreased Isc. Terbutaline (10(-3) M) increased PD from 1.2 +/- 0.13 to 3.3 +/- 0.40 mV (P less than 0.01), and application of amiloride (10(-4) M) after terbutaline reduced PD and Isc to less than initial base-line values. The Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransport inhibitors bumetanide (10(-4) M) and furosemide (10(-3) M) had no effect on PD and Isc either before or after terbutaline. Neither the Cl- channel blocker diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (10(-3) M) nor the Na(+)-glucose cotransport inhibitor phloridzin (10(-3) M) affected the bioelectric properties. Fetal type II alveolar epithelium in primary culture actively transport ions and, on the basis of inhibitor-agonist experiments, probably do not secrete Cl- but absorb Na+ through Na+ channels.

Amiloride↗
PubMed1990

Complications of rotator cuff surgery.

It is essential to understand shoulder anatomy and the pathology and extent of a rotator cuff tear before an effective repair can be achieved. Most surgical-repair failures can be avoided by: (1) achieving adequate healing of the deltoid that has been detached from the acromion, (2) not excising too much of the acromion, (3) correctly repairing the rotator cuff, including intimal tears, and (4) carefully preserving the nerve supply to important shoulder girdle muscles. Nevertheless, if a complication arises, it must be correctly managed in order to salvage shoulder function.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

A comparative study of clinical muscle testing and Cybex evaluation after shoulder operations.

One hundred consecutive patients treated with shoulder surgery were studied to determine their functional recovery. Their average age was 47.3 years, and the average follow-up period was ten months. Clinical grading of muscle strength was compared pre- and postoperatively with objective testing using the Cybex II Isokinetic System, with subjective functional assessment by dictation, and with the ability of the patient to return to work. The clinical grade of muscle strength increased postoperatively by approximately one-half of a grade in both forward flexion and external rotation. However, various Cybex parameters did not significantly improve. The postoperative values were significantly less for the operated side than for the uninvolved side. Only weak statistical correlations were found between the clinical muscle grading and objective Cybex evaluation. Pain relief was obtained in 87% of the patients. Eighty-six percent of the patients returned to work, although 43% returned to light duty only. Thirty-two percent of patients reported full recovery, while 58% had decreased but satisfactory function. The study showed that although the clinical assessment of muscle strength improved early after shoulder surgery, the clinical grading of muscle power did not correlate well with objective parameters of strength, endurance, ability to work, or functional assessment. Strength did not recover to the level of the uninvolved opposite shoulder. Endurance, which is not measured by clinical grading, may decrease. Longer follow-up and rehabilitation periods are required to optimize results.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Rotator cuff sonography: a reassessment.

This study is both a retrospective and prospective evaluation of the clinical usefulness of shoulder sonography. Ninety-eight patients suspected of having rotator cuff tears underwent sonography of both shoulders. Sixty-two patients underwent double-contrast arthrography performed on the same day as sonography, and 38 patients underwent surgery after sonography. A comparison of the results from ultrasound and arthrography, using published diagnostic criteria, demonstrated a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 43% for detection of a rotator cuff tear. In this study, use of more restricted criteria, a subset of the published criteria, yielded a sensitivity of 68% and a specificity of 90%. A comparison of sonography with surgery, using this study's criteria, demonstrated a sensitivity of 57% and a specificity of 76%. This report shows that shoulder sonography is less reliable than previously reported and appears to have a very limited role in the evaluation of rotator cuff injuries.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Fibroblast-pneumonocyte factor.

Fibroblast-pneumonocyte factor (FPF) is an organ-specific differentiation factor produced, under glucocorticoid regulation, by the fetal lung fibroblast, which in turn enhances the differentiation of the alveolar type II cell with respect to surfactant production. In this article we review the appearance of the type II cell phenotype during fetal life and the action of FPF to time full acquisition of this phenotype. Evidence supporting a physiological role for this factor is reviewed as are details of its production by the fetal lung fibroblast and action on the type II cell. Finally we summarize possible future clinical advantages of using such a material to regulate lung maturation compared with currently used maternal glucocorticoid therapy. These include a more rapid effect and bypassing the inhibition of glucocorticoid action seen in male fetuses and in infants of diabetic mothers.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Current concepts in the treatment of fractures of the clavicle.

Clavicle fracture is a common injury in all age groups. Injuries can be classified into groups. Group I includes fractures of the middle one third, the most frequent site. Group II fractures account for 10% of fractures of the clavicle and involve the clavicle lateral to the coracoclavicular ligament and are caused by direct violence. These injuries are divided into two subsets. Group II Type I fractures occur lateral to the coracoclavicular ligaments and are stable. Group II Type II fractures occur just medial to the coracoclavicular ligaments and are unstable. These latter injuries require stabilization. Group III fractures are uncommon and involve the medial end of the clavicle and are rarely caused by direct violence. Most fractures of the clavicle can be treated closed with excellent results. Open treatment is only occasionally indicated and then only under certain stringent conditions. Most complications occur with open treatment and include nonunion and infection. Neurovascular complications are uncommon but not unusual. Although reasonable shoulder function is compatible with surgical resection of the clavicle, it cannot be done with impunity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Primary tendinitis of the long head of the biceps.

Seventeen patients with chronic painful shoulders who showed evidence of isolated bicipital tendinitis involving only the extracapsular, intertubercular portion of the long head of the biceps were chosen for surgical treatment when conservative treatment failed. The patients were thought to have primary bicipital tendinitis. The latter condition is secondary to other shoulder pathologies. Thirteen patients had tenodeses and four patients had transfer of the long head of the biceps to the origin of the conjoined tendon. Overall, excellent and good results were noted in 94% of both groups of patients when the long head of the biceps was tenodesed or transferred. Whether or not the long head of the biceps is a significant depressor of the humeral head requires further investigation.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Histochemical and immunocytochemical identification of alveolar type II epithelial cells isolated from fetal rat lung.

Primary cultures of epithelial cells isolated from organotypic cultures of fetal (Days 18 through 22) rat lung have been characterized by histochemical and immunocytochemical parameters. Immunocytologic analysis with monoclonal antibodies to cytokeratins and with those to adult type II cells (JBR-1) demonstrated that the cell cultures were composed almost entirely of epithelial type II cells. Additional evidence that the cultures had the type II phenotype was obtained by Maclura pomifera lectin binding studies and by positive immunocytochemical demonstration of surfactant apoproteins. Comparison of cell cultures established from fetal lung at the early canalicular and saccular stages of rat lung development revealed that early fetal type II cells (Day 19) contained much glycogen and few lamellar bodies. The reverse was observed in type II cells isolated from fetal lungs at 21 days of gestation. Immunohistochemically determined surfactant apoproteins showed a similar developmental pattern to lamellar bodies. The cell cultures exhibited alkaline phosphatase activity, but this did not increase with development. Administration of dexamethasone to pregnant rats at 19 days gestation resulted in a significant loss of glycogen from fetal type II cells isolated 24 h later. This decrease in glycogen content was accompanied by an increase in the number of cells containing lamellar bodies. These findings indicate that freshly isolated fetal type II cells retain the morphologic features of the type II cells in vivo and provide a good system for the study of biochemical events occurring in these cells during specific stages of lung development.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Maternal administration of dexamethasone stimulates choline-phosphate cytidylyltransferase in fetal type II cells.

Administration of dexamethasone to pregnant rats at 19 days gestation increased phosphatidylcholine synthesis (45%) from radioactive choline in type II cells. This enhanced synthesis of phosphatidylcholine was accompanied by an increased conversion of choline phosphate into CDP-choline. Similar results were obtained by incubating organotypic cultures of 19-day-fetal rat lung with cortisol. The increased conversion of choline phosphate into CDP-choline correlated with an enhanced choline-phosphate cytidylyltransferase activity (31% after dexamethasone treatment; 47% after cortisol exposure) in the cell homogenates. A similar increase (26% after dexamethasone treatment; 39% after cortisol exposure) was found in the microsomal-associated enzyme. No differences in cytosolic enzyme activity were observed. The specific activity of the microsomal enzyme was 3-4 times that of the cytosolic enzyme. Most of the enzyme activity was located in the microsomal fraction (58-65%). The treatments had no effect on the total amount of enzyme recovered from the cell homogenates. These results, taken collectively, are interpreted to indicate that the active form of cytidylyltransferase in type II cells is the membrane-bound enzyme and that cytidylyltransferase activation in type II cells from fetal rat lung after maternal glucocorticoid administration occurs by binding of inactive cytosolic enzyme to endoplasmic reticulum.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Temporal linkage of glycogen and saturated phosphatidylcholine in fetal lung type II cells.

The developmental profiles of glycogen and surfactant-associated saturated phosphatidylcholine were investigated in type II cells isolated from fetal rat lung. Incorporation of radiolabeled glucose into glycogen and type II cell unlabeled glycogen content decreased as a function of gestational age. Conversely, an increase was noted in radioactive choline incorporation into saturated phosphatidylcholine and in the content of unlabeled saturated phosphatidylcholine as a function of gestational age. Type II cells from days 19 and 21 of gestation were also studied by electron microscopy. Temporal relationships similar to those noted biochemically were observed by morphometric analysis. A decrease in glycogen content and an increase in lamellar bodies (the storage organelles for the pulmonary surfactant) were noted as gestation progressed. These studies biochemically and morphologically demonstrate a temporal relationship between glycogen degradation and saturated phosphatidylcholine synthesis in type II cells isolated from fetal rat lung. These findings provide further support for the use of such type II cell preparations for studies of development at the cellular level.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Characterization of proteoglycans synthesized by fetal rat lung type II pneumonocytes in vitro and the effects of cortisol.

The synthesis of proteoglycans by primary cultures of 19-day gestation fetal rat lung Type II pneumonocytes was studied. The cells were grown in the presence of [3H]-glucosamine and/or [35S]-Na2SO4 and the radioactive label incorporated into proteoglycans was analyzed. Proteoglycans of high molecular weight (approximately 200 Kd) were isolated by gel permeation chromatography and contained both [3H] and [35S]. The glycosaminoglycan composition of the proteoglycans was determined by electrophoresis and autoradiography. The medium contained 65-80% of the labeled proteoglycans and was enriched for hyaluronate, with lesser amounts of the sulfated glycosaminoglycans (dermatan sulfate greater than heparan sulfate greater than chondroitin sulfate). The cell layers retained 20-35% of the labeled proteoglycans and was enriched for heparan sulfate, with lesser amounts of chondroitan sulfate greater than dermatan sulfate greater than hyaluronate. The synthesis of proteoglycans was time-dependent and was stimulated by increasing concentrations of fetal bovine serum. Cortisol inhibited proteoglycan synthesis, apparently by decreasing the availability of proteoglycan core-protein.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Constrained arthroplasty of the shoulder.

Constrained replacement, like all prosthetic replacements, is constantly undergoing change and will improve as the current state of the art changes. It is not a standard, usual operation like unconstrained arthroplasty, and it should be reserved for the patient who requires arthroplasty and does not have a functional rotator cuff mechanism. If, in addition, the acromial fulcrum and loss of deltoid is present, then there is a greater reason for constrained replacement; it is a salvage procedure that is not as durable as the unconstrained device. Constrained arthroplasty has much merit if the risks and possible complications are well understood; however, pain relief and improved function will be lost if the device fails. The dislocation feature of the MRTS is desirable in order to minimize the risk of scapular fracture. Its disadvantage is that, with this complication, open operation is needed to reduce the assembly and insert new polyethylene components. The method of surface mounting of the metal glenoid component without removing the glenoid subchondral plate or cancellous bone of the vault is believed to lessen the risk of glenoid component loosening or pull-out. Finally, active function always depends upon residual deltoid muscle power. Thus, a poor or absent deltoid will only permit passive motion.

Humans↗