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Biomedical subjects

R Camp

Publications and source records attributed to R Camp.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Topically applied verapamil hydrochloride inhibits tuberculin-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions in human skin.

Calcium channel antagonists have been reported to possess inhibitory effects on lymphocyte migration and activation in vitro, and on cell-mediated immune reactions in the skin of experimental animals. We have therefore studied the effects of topically applied 8% (w/v) verapamil hydrochloride in propylene glycol on tuberculin-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions in the skin of normal human volunteers. There was significant inhibition of the tuberculin reactions by the verapamil preparation compared to vehicle controls, as determined by forearm skin fold thickness measurement and assessment of the density of mononuclear cell infiltrates in skin biopsies. The precise mechanism of action of verapamil hydrochloride remains unclear, but could include effects on T-cell migration and activation, on antigen-presenting cells, and/or on other cells. The potential for the use of topical calcium channel antagonist preparations in inflammatory skin diseases warrants further study.

Administration, Topical

A prospective, randomized, blinded trial of cytological yield with disposable cytology brushes in upper gastrointestinal tract lesions.

Brush cytology is an important technique in the diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal tract lesions. Optimum cytological yields depend on cellularity (a measure of the amount of epithelial cellular material) and preservation (a measure of artifact induced by desiccation). We sought to determine the cytological yield of four disposable cytology brushes. Seventy-eight patients were studied, with a total of 80 disposable cytology brushes from four different manufacturers (Wilson-Cook, Microvasive, Mill-Rose, and Hobbs). Cellularity and preservation were assessed in a blinded fashion by experienced cytotechnologists. There was no significant difference in cellularity between the different non-disposable brushes. However, the Wilson Cook disposable cytology brush was significantly superior to the other disposable cytology brushes (P < 0.05) with regard to preservation. Its unique design features (longer head and more acutely angled bristles) may account for the better results.

Cytological Techniques

Induction of in vitro human lymphocyte migration by interleukin 3, interleukin 4, and interleukin 6.

The effects of interleukin 3 (IL 3), IL 4, IL 6, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on lymphocyte migration have been investigated and compared with those of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF), and macrophage colony stimulating factor (MCSF). Potent, temperature-dependent stimulation of lymphocyte migration was obtained in response to IL 3 and IL 4 (ED50 less than 10(-11) M and less than 10(-13) M, respectively) and this migration was abolished in the presence of 3 micrograms ml-1 cytochalasin B. IL 6 and IFN-gamma were less active (ED50 greater than or equal to 10(-9) M and greater than or equal to 10(-8) M, respectively), maximal migration in response to IFN-gamma being only 30% above background as compared with approximately 250% for IL 3 and IL 4. TGF-beta 1, GCSF, and MCSF failed to stimulate lymphocyte migration in doses similar to those used for IL 3, IL 4, and IL 6. The presence of antisera to IL 3, IL 4, and IL 6 specifically inhibited lymphocyte migration induced by the corresponding cytokines (IC50 values being 1/10,000, greater than 1/30,000, and greater than 1/30,000 dilution of antibody, respectively). Cross-desensitization experiments using IL 3 and IL 4 demonstrated that neither IL 3 nor IL 4 were able to stimulate dose-related lymphocyte migration in cells preincubated with IL 3. Cells preincubated with IL 4 were only stimulated by a supraoptimal concentration of IL 4 (10(-11) M). The induction of lymphocyte migration by IL 3, IL 4, and IL 6 therefore appears to be a specific and potentially important effect of these cytokines. Cross-desensitization of lymphocytes by IL 3 and IL 4 raises the possibility that the induction of lymphocyte migration by these cytokines may occur through a common postreceptor signal transduction mechanism.

Chemotaxis, Leukocyte

Potent inflammatory properties in human skin of interleukin-1 alpha-like material isolated from normal skin.

Recombinant human interleukin 1 (IL-1) possesses potent inflammatory properties in both animal and human skin. However, IL-1-like material has been isolated from normal epidermal samples. In view of the uncertainty concerning the structure and biologic properties of human epidermal IL-1, heel stratum corneum, and chamber fluid samples from normal skin have been purified by successive reversed phase and anion exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and aliquots of each HPLC fraction tested for IL-1 activity in an EL-4 NOB-1 assay and for inflammatory activity by intradermal injection of autologous material. The results consistently indicated the presence of inflammatory quantities of IL-1 alpha-like material, which induced persistent erythema lasting at least 24 h, associated in 4-h biopsies with mixed dermal leukocyte infiltrates containing increased numbers of neutrophils, monocytes, and T helper cells. Biologically active quantities of IL-1 beta were not recovered following HPLC purification in most experiments. Analysis of heel stratum corneum extract also showed that the majority of the dilution-related IL-1 activity detected in the EL-4 NOB-1 bioassay was neutralized by IL-1 alpha but not IL-1 beta antiserum. These findings suggest that IL-1 alpha-like material is present in inflammatory amounts in normal human epidermis, and its release may represent a primary inflammatory mechanism in human skin.

Adult

Value of pharmacy services: perceptions of consumers, physicians, and third party prescription plan administrators.

A study of patients, physicians, and third party prescription plan administrators was conducted to identify those pharmacy services they believe are important and valuable and to determine whether third party plan administrators would reimburse pharmacists for such services. Patient and physician focus groups indicated that both wanted personalized services related to medications. Physicians believe that pharmacists are talking to patients about their medications, whereas patients want more drug information but report that pharmacists are not always providing such information. A mail survey of 41 third party prescription plan administrators indicated they believe that pharmacy services are important to consumers and that pharmacists are already providing most of the services identified. One-third of the third party administrators said their companies would consider implementing a structured pharmacist incentive plan to improve enrollee satisfaction. Those whose companies would not most often gave "increased cost" as the reason. No clear relationship was shown between number or type of services and the incentive value offered. Providing administrators with evidence that enhanced pharmacy services will increase overall program cost savings may lead to implementation of pharmacy incentives.

Attitude of Health Personnel

The perivascular cell populations in human skin after topical application of leukotriene B4.

Fifteen timed biopsies of human skin were performed after application of 100 nanograms of leukotriene B4 in a Finnchamber for six hours. The number of inflammatory cells were counted per high power perivascular field and compared to three control biopsies. At 24 hours a peak of neutrophiles was observed and subsequently lymphocytes predominated. Eosinophils were never prominent. This pattern of successive cell populations has been described in inflammatory and whealing skin disease.

Administration, Topical

Inflammatory reactions induced by ultraviolet irradiation.

Exposure of human skin to short wavelength ultraviolet (U.V.) leads to increased concentrations of arachidonic acid and prostaglandins E2 and F2, but their role is uncertain. Although the levels of prostaglandins rise as erythema develops the correlation between intensity of erythema and prostaglandin activity is incomplete. There is mounting evidence that prostaglandins may regulate epidermal cell growth and differentiation through a cyclic-AMP dependent mechanism. The possibility therefore arises that prostaglandins, released in response to U. V. exposure, reduce proliferative activity in the exposed epidermis. This can be expected, in turn, to result in protection of skin from the mutagenic action of U. V. irradiation.

Arachidonic Acids

Leg ulcers.

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Humans

Hemoglobin function in stored blood. XIII. A citrate-adenine preservative with optimal pH to maintain red cell 2,3-DPG (function) and ATP (viability).

Increasing pH by a 0.5 increment over the commonly used preservative, acid-citrate-dextrose with adenine (ACD-Ad), results in a significant improvement in 2,3-DPG, with no significant loss in concentrations of ATP. The intermediate pH preservative, 6.0, also had ATP concentrations which equaled those of the low pH preservatives, 5.0 and 5.5, from the 21st to the 42nd day of storage. A citrate-adenine preservative, with a pH between 5.5 and 6.0, would seem to be optimal for maintenance of hemoglobin function and red cell viability, as determined by measurements of 2,3-DPG and ATP concentrations.

Adenosine Triphosphate