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Biomedical subjects

P Ford

Publications and source records attributed to P Ford.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Gamma probe location of 111indium-labeled B72.3: an extension of immunoscintigraphy.

Eight colorectal and 5 ovarian cancer patients were evaluated with preoperative immunoscintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe detection of 111indium-labeled monoclonal antibody B72.3. Immunoscintigraphy detected the presence of tumor in every patient shown to have tumor at surgery. There was one false-positive scan. A total of 21 pathologically verified lesions were identified at surgery in the 11 patients with tumor. Immunoscintigraphy localized 12 (57%) and intraoperative gamma probe detection located 17 (81%) of the lesions. Intraoperative probe detection located 6 of 8 lesions smaller than 1 cm and 3 lesions that were not identified on initial surgical exploration. The gamma probe offers information that is complementary to immunoscintigraphy in that (1) it aids the surgeon in locating intra- and extra-abdominal lesions previously identified by immunoscintigraphy, (2) it locates lesions too small to be seen by immunoscintigraphy alone, (3) it locates lesions that otherwise might be missed at surgery, and (4) it provides objective evidence for adequacy of surgical resection of cancer in the abdominal cavity.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

A possible role for antiphospholipid antibodies in acquired cardiac valve deformity.

We studied the frequency of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement, and present the results in the context of the pathology of the valve lesions. Forty-eight consecutive patients undergoing valve replacement were studied. Of the whole group, 15 (31%) had antibody levels greater than 2 SD above the mean for a control group of healthy persons and 11 (23%) had a level of greater than 3 SD. There was an increased frequency of elevated antibody levels in patients with valves showing fibrocalcific change and a significant association between aPL and valve thrombus. The possible role of these antibodies in the pathogenesis of the valve lesions is discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Twenty-four-hour variations in ornithine decarboxylase and acid phosphatase in mice.

Polyamines are essential for cell growth and differentiation. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis. Acid phosphatases (AP) are lysosomal enzymes that are important in normal intracellular metabolism. Twenty-four-hour variations in these enzymes may be important in understanding the temporal responses of different tissues to various stimuli. The purpose of this study was to examine a variety of tissues for fluctuations in the levels of ODC and AP over a 24-hr period. Significant circadian variations in the amount of ODC activity were observed in all tissues examined. Activity of AP varied with time of day in the liver, kidney, and heart. The highest and lowest measurements of ODC activity were as follows: liver, 81.5 +/- 7.0, 47.9 +/- 4.4; colon, 11.7 +/- 1.2, 3.1 +/- 0.7; stomach 3.1 +/- 0.4, 0.9 +/- 0.1; kidney, 420.9 +/- 0.9, 67.5 +/- 0.8; and heart, 4.7 +/- 1.0, 2.5 +/- 0.2. The highest and lowest measurements of AP activity were as follows: liver 3.8 +/- 0.1, 2.8 +/- 0.1; kidney, 3.4 +/- 0.1, 1.9 +/- 0.1; and heart, 2.6 +/- 0.1, 2.0 +/- 0.1. These findings suggest that rhythmic fluctuations in polyamine biosynthesis and lysosomal enzymes may influence other metabolic pathways differentially throughout 24 hr.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1989

Thrombotic endocarditis and lupus anticoagulant. A pathogenetic possibility for idiopathic 'rheumatic type' valvular heart disease.

Lupus anticoagulant and anti-phospholipid antibodies are well recognized as being associated with thromboembolic disorders in patients both with and without systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). There have been recent reports of the association of lupus anticoagulant and antiphospholipid antibodies with severe valvular heart disease in patients with SLE and it has been suggested that organizing thrombus on the surface of the valve may be a cause of distortion and subsequent dysfunction. We describe two patients who did not have SLE, but who did have both lupus anticoagulant and antiphospholipid antibodies. Both had severe valvular heart disease, the pathology of which demonstrates valve distortion by layers of organizing thrombus identical to that of previously described patients with SLE. The gross appearance of these valves is similar to that of the valves in "rheumatic" heart disease. We suggest that in some patients with "rheumatic" heart disease, but without a history of rheumatic fever, the prothrombotic tendency associated with lupus anticoagulant and phospholipid antibodies may either contribute to, or be responsible for, the pathogenesis of "rheumatic" type valve deformities.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

AIDS and the small city: the cost at Kingston General Hospital.

Although AIDS is often thought of as a "big-city" disease, it is also becoming a serious health care issue for doctors and other health care workers in "small-city" Canada. Kingston, Ont., is one of those small cities, and of the facilities trying to come to grips with a disease about which much remains to be learned. In this article, Drs. Peter Ford and David Robertson outline their hospital's estimate of the cost, in manpower and money, of dealing with the AIDS crisis. The final estimate: roughly $700,000. Although most of the cost will involve one-time capital spending, they point out that there will likely be ongoing labour-related costs because of the special programs and increased manpower needed to deal with AIDS patients. Clearly, AIDS is no longer a big-city disease.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Characterization of cell surface antigens on the adrenergic neuroblastoma clone A2(1).

Neuroblastoma cell lines have been extensively used to identify the presence of brain reactive autoantibodies in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who have neuropsychiatric involvement and in the animal models (murine) of this disorder. In this study, a characterization of murine neuroblastoma cell surface antigens, from the adrenergic A2(1) cell line, have indicated both similarities and differences with the cell surface antigens of normal mouse brain. It has also shown that some of these antigens are nervous system specific, whereas others are not. These data indicate that a more precise definition of the antigens on the surface of neuroblastoma cells, with which anti-brain autoantibodies react, is necessary for an understanding of the neuropsychiatric manifestations associated with autoimmune diseases such as SLE.

Adrenergic Fibers↗
PubMed1988

Identification of novel prognostic indicators in burned patients.

The size and depth of burn and patient age are useful early prognostic indicators in burned patients, but have limited value in predicting which patients in a given cohort are likely to die. The objective of this study was to identify additional variables in the first 10 days of burn injury which could better predict patient outcome. Variables consisting of demographic information, routine laboratory data, and clinical observations on 89 burned patients (63 survivors and 26 nonsurvivors) were analyzed. Compared to survivors, nonsurvivors had significantly larger burns (58 +/- 23% vs. 37 +/- 17%; p less than 0.0002) and a higher incidence of Gram-negative septicemia (20 of 26 [77%] vs. 24 of 63 [38%]; p less than 0.001). Potential prognostic variables were subjected to multivariate logistic regression analysis for each of the first 10 days following burn injury in order to identify a combination of parameters which predicted patient outcome. The regression analyses revealed that, as previously demonstrated, patient age and burn size were significant predictors of mortality on admission and throughout the first 10 days postburn. In addition, absolute monocyte count (AMC), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), maximum daily temperature (Tmax), and BUN were also significant predictors (p less than 0.05). These data indicate that logistic regression models can identify simple prognostic variables in burned patients which may improve clinicians' ability to identify high-risk patients early in the course of their burn injuries.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Decreased T helper cells in the myelodysplastic syndromes.

The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are disorders in which the abnormalities are thought to be confined to cells of the myeloid series. However, examination of peripheral blood from 56 patients with MDS showed that the majority had low lymphocyte counts. In a detailed study of 25 patients, using OKT3, OKT4 and OKT8 monoclonal antisera together with SRBC rosettes, it was shown that there is a consistent and significant reduction in peripheral blood T lymphocytes. This decrease was primarily confined to the OKT4-defined helper subpopulation. There is a consequent relative increase in the OKT8-defined subset but in absolute numbers however, suppressor cells are reduced compared to normal particularly in those patients with lymphopenia. No correlations between T cell abnormalities and the different morphological groups of MDS were found. The possible implications of the reversed helper/suppressor ratio in the pathogenesis of MDS are discussed.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1983

T lymphocyte subpopulations in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

Absolute T cell counts and the relative distributions of antibody-defined helper and cytotoxic/suppressor T lymphocytes are reported in 26 patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). T cell numbers are generally normal in ITP and alterations in relative helper (OKT4 positive) and suppressor (OKT8 positive) T cell numbers show no consistent patterns, although 35% of the cases examined showed inverted distributions. The combined percentages of helper and suppressor T cells consistently exceeded 100% in ITP indicating the presence of increased OKT4+8+ cells in these patients. A cell population, previously defined as SRBC positive and OKT3 negative, was found in the normal group and in ITP patients following splenectomy but was absent in those patients with intact spleens. The role of these changes in the pathogenesis of ITP is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Regionalization of poison centers--a rational role model.

The Rocky Mountain Poison Center is a model system for regionalization. Minimal cost is achieved by concentrating expensive equipment and information materials in the main center. Access to information is rapid because each subregional center has a POISINDEX and thus the capacity to provide standardized initial therapy as soon as contact is made. Full integration of professional activities from training to education is accomplished within the framework of Emergency Medical Services. Public education is uniform throughout the region so that medical interaction is consistent and the public receives maximum reinforcement. Funding is found through many sources and includes a cost-sharing program in which 18 Colorado hospitals participate. Institutions with similar regionalized programs, integrated with Emergency Medical Services and drug consultation, will provide cost effective programs well-tailored to the unique characteristics of each region.

Drug Information Services↗