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Biomedical subjects

R Kerr

Publications and source records attributed to R Kerr.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Cell recruitment to the sperm granuloma which follows vasectomy in the rat.

Sperm granulomas are chronic inflammatory lesions at sites of extravasation of spermatozoa from the reproductive tract. Using light and transmission electron microscopy, monocytes were identified in the wall of the early granuloma of the vasectomized rat. Some young macrophages contained sperm fragments and scanning electron microscopy showed them to wrap around, and partially engulf, spermatozoa. T-lymphocytes predominated over B-lymphocytes in the granuloma wall, helper cells being more numerous than suppressor/cytotoxic cells. The percentage of lymphocytes of all classes among the cells of the granuloma wall was higher at 3 months than at 3 weeks and 6 months after vasectomy, reflecting the high immunological activity known to occur at this interval after vasectomy in the rat.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

A confocal microscopic survey of serotoninergic axons in the lumbar spinal cord of the rat: co-localization with glutamate decarboxylase and neuropeptides.

Patterns of co-localization of serotonin with glutamate decarboxylase (the synthetic enzyme for GABA) or each one of eight neuropeptides (calcitonin gene-related peptide, dynorphin, enkephalin, galanin, neuropeptide Y, neurotensin, substance P and somatostatin) were investigated with dual-colour confocal laser scanning microscopy in the lumbar spinal cords of three adult rats. Four regions of the gray matter were studied (laminae I-II, V, IX and X). The extent of co-localization was estimated by direct assessment of merged pairs of optical sections and by automated image analysis. Co-localization of serotonin and glutamate decarboxylase was found only in a few axons of laminae I-II but was not detected in other laminae. Peptides were not co-localized with serotonin in the superficial dorsal horn but considerable co-localization was found in motor nuclei and sparse co-localization was found in laminae V and X. Galanin and substance P frequently co-existed with serotonin in lamina IX but some co-localization with dynorphin, somatostatin, [Met]enkephalin and neuropeptide Y was also detected. Galanin, substance P and dynorphin were also co-localized with serotonin in a few axons of the deep dorsal horn and in the gray matter around the central canal. Neurotensin and calcitonin gene-related compound did not co-exist with serotonin in any of the laminae investigated. This evidence suggests that different populations of serotoninergic axons project to different regions of the spinal gray matter. Those containing glutamate decarboxylase terminate in the superficial dorsal horn and are likely to be involved in antinociception, whereas those containing peptides terminate principally in motor nuclei and are likely to modulate motor activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Contralateral cerebellar hemorrhagic infarction after pterional craniotomy: report of five cases and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Five cases of cerebellar hemorrhagic infarction complicating pterional craniotomy are presented. Recognition of this rare complication may be delayed, with catastrophic consequences, because clinicians are unaware of the possibility. We suggest that the mechanism of this complication is dislocation of the dependent part of the cerebellum and venous obstruction causing hemorrhagic infarction. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Five patients undergoing pterional craniotomies for benign conditions (four unruptured aneurysms and one meningioma) developed hemorrhagic infarction of the contralateral cerebellum in the postoperative period. This resulted in obstructive hydrocephalus and brain stem compression. A review of the literature revealed only one previous report of a similar complication in patients with gross coagulopathy. This was not a problem in our patients. INTERVENTION: The time of onset of symptoms varied from immediately postoperative to 24 hours later. Once the diagnosis was made, the hydrocephalus was drained and the posterior fossa was decompressed. CONCLUSION: The outcome depended on two variables: 1) the rate of development of hemorrhagic infarction and the associated complications and 2) the amount of time that elapsed before remedial action was taken. Two patients with the first signs of deterioration in the immediate postoperative period had the worst outcome; one died and the other remained severely disabled. In two patients with good neurological recovery, problems were identified and corrected within 4 hours of the first sign of deterioration. Rapid overdrainage of cerebrospinal fluid during supratentorial surgery should be avoided, and the fluid volume should be replaced before closure. Postoperative evaluation of patients whose conditions deteriorate after supratentorial craniotomy should include adequate imaging studies of the posterior fossa.

Cerebellar Diseases↗
PubMed1996

A comparison of MRI and clinical examination of acute lateral ankle sprains.

Because of its excellent soft tissue contrast and ability to demonstrate soft tissue structures, magnetic resonance imaging is ideally suited to the evaluation of the soft tissues surrounding the ankle, including the lateral collateral ligaments. This study was undertaken to compare the clinical evaluation of 15 patients who suffered inversion injuries of the ankle with the results found on magnetic resonance imaging within 48 hours of the injury. Physical examination was found to be 100% accurate in the diagnosis of grade III ligament injuries but only 25% accurate in the diagnosis of grade II injuries. Clinicians most often underestimate the damage with a grade II ligament tear. Furthermore, other associated injuries, such as significant capsule ruptures and tendon damage, were often overlooked at physical examination.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Colocalization of glycine and GABA in synapses on spinomedullary neurons.

Spinomedullary neurons of the postsynaptic dorsal column pathway in adult cats were retrogradely labelled with horseradish peroxidase. Postembedding immunogold reactions were performed with antisera which recognise GABA or glycine to determine if synaptic boutons in contact with these neurons contain both transmitters. Analysis of series of ultrathin sections revealed that synaptic profiles with strong immunogold reactions for GABA usually also displayed strong immunogold reactions for glycine. Pre-embedding immunocytochemistry was performed on sections containing labelled cells with a monoclonal antibody which recognises the glycine receptor-associated protein, gephyrin. Many synapses onto postsynaptic dorsal column neurons were associated with gephyrin-like immunoreactivity and these typically contained irregularly shaped vesicles. Immunogold reactions showed that synaptic profiles apposed to gephyrin-immunoreactive junctions contained GABA and glycine. The evidence suggests that glycine is a neurotransmitter at synapses on spinomedullary neurons and that it is colocalized with GABA.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

A long-term study of the interaction between iron and alcohol in an animal model of iron overload.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The hypothesis that chronic alcohol ingestion potentiates iron-associated liver injury was investigated in the 'carbonyl iron-overload rat model'. METHODS: Newborn male and female Wistar-Furth rats (seven per group) were used to investigate iron-alcohol interaction over a 26-week period. Groups 1 and 2 were iron loaded from birth, while the others received normal diet. At 10 weeks all rats commenced Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet; additional treatments were: group 1 6 g carbonyl iron/1000 ml diet plus alcohol; group 2 carbonyl iron in the liquid diet; group 3 alcohol in the liquid diet; group 4, the controls, received liquid diet only. RESULTS: This study confirmed our previous observation that iron-loading from birth resulted in grade III-IV siderosis, in both male and female rats, and caused fibrosis associated with periportal macrophages. Alcohol-feeding, in addition to iron-feeding for 26 weeks significantly lowered the hepatic iron concentration in both male and female rats compared to those fed iron only (p < 0.05). Alcohol feeding did increase hepatic fibrosis in the iron-loaded animals. However, serum alanine aminotransferase activity was significantly higher in the iron-alcohol group than in the other groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Thus, contrary to expectation, chronic alcohol feeding failed to potentiate hepatic fibrosis in iron-overloaded rats, although there was rather more hepatocyte necrosis, and the serum alanine aminotransferase activity was significantly higher in the iron-alcohol group than in the other groups.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1995

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the mandible: the importance of an accurate histopathological diagnosis.

A case is presented of a malignant fibrous histiocytoma arising in the mandible and oral cavity of a 62-year old woman. The histopathological features were typical and the diagnosis was confirmed on immunohistochemistry. The exact nature of this usually soft tissue sarcoma is uncertain, but it is a well defined clinicopathological tumour entity which only rarely arises in the jaws. Microscopically, it may resemble other neoplasms, such as sarcomatoid squamous carcinoma, and an accurate diagnosis requires the use of immunohistochemistry or electron microscopy. Treatment is primarily surgical, but because of the difficulties at this site of complete removal with adequate margins, recurrence, metastasis and death due to disease are a likely outcome.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1994

Radiographic diagnosis of ankle fractures: are three views necessary?

One hundred and twenty-three sets of emergency room ankle x-rays (anteroposterior lateral and mortise) were retrospectively reviewed to determine whether all three views were necessary to diagnose the presence of an ankle fracture. Four physicians (two orthopaedic surgeons, one musculoskeletal radiologist, and one emergency room physician) reviewed all randomly ordered sets of films twice--once with all three views and once with only the lateral and mortise views. The overall accuracy of two views was within the 95% expected threshold of accuracy using three views. The lateral and mortise views alone appear sufficient for ankle fracture diagnosis, and imply a substantial decrease in radiation and cost savings to the patient.

Ankle Injuries↗
PubMed1994

Intersensory integration: a kinesthetic bias.

Four groups of five subjects performed intramodal and cross-modal matching tasks. The stimuli to be matched were four positions of a moveable intercept presented either visually or kinesthetically. Performance was studied before and after a practice session during which only one matching combination was practiced and knowledge of results was given. Only groups receiving kinesthetic information during practice trials showed improvement.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

MRI of trauma and sports-related injuries of tendons and ligaments. Part II: Pelvis and lower extremities.

MRI is highly valuable in evaluation of tendons and ligaments of the lower extremities. In this context, MRI is predominantly used in the setting of trauma and sports-related injuries. Tendons and ligaments have a crucial role in the stability and motion of joints in the peripheral skeleton. Tendinitis, tenosynovitis, tendinosis (degeneration of tendon), partial tear, and complete tear of tendons and ligaments are readily detected by MRI. Although interpretation of signal intensities and differentiation of some of these conditions may be difficult, knowledge of the clinical setting, traumatic circumstances, and mechanism of injury would lead to the proper diagnosis. In this article, traumatic and sports-related injuries of tendons and ligaments of the pelvis, knee, ankle, and foot are systematically reviewed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

MRI of trauma and sports-related injuries of tendons and ligaments. Part I: Spine and upper extremities.

MRI is valuable in evaluation of tendons and ligaments in sports-related injuries. Tendons and ligaments show dark signal intensity on all MR sequences. Alteration in size, shape, continuity, and signal intensity of these structures can be well visualized with MRI. Impingement syndrome is the leading cause of atrophy and degeneration of the rotator cuff. Shape of the acromion, presence of subacromial spur, and involvement in certain sport activities that lead to shoulder instability may cause impingement of the rotator cuff. This article systematically reviews the injuries of tendons and ligaments in the spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Tarsal tunnel syndrome secondary to cosmetic silicone injections.

Silicone has been implicated as a cause of inflammatory disorders in the body including synovitis and lymphangitis. Silicone particulate matter has been shown to cause a fairly severe chronic foreign body reaction with the use of silicone prosthesis in the foot. This reaction was often overlooked for years because of the limited number of subjective complaints. There are case reports of granulomatous inguinal lymphadenopathy following first metatarsophalangeal joint silicone arthroplasty. Similar findings have been noted in the axilla with hand implants and breast implants. Of greater significance are two reports of malignant lymphoma found with silicate lymphadenopathy.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Contract culture.

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Continuity of Patient Care↗
PubMed1992

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy for the measurement of hepatic iron concentration.

The potential application of fine-needle aspiration liver biopsy in the documentation of hepatic iron overload has been assessed in iron-loaded rats. Fine-needle aspiration and standard liver biopsy specimens were obtained from three groups of animals supplemented with oral and parenteral iron for 2 to 6 mo. The mean dry weights of standard and fine-needle biopsy specimens were 7.41 +/- 0.77 (+/- S.E.M.) and 0.57 +/- 0.54 mg, respectively. Hepatic iron in fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens correlated significantly with hepatic iron in standard liver biopsy specimens as measured by biochemical determination, computerized image analysis and histological grading (r greater than 0.9, p less than 0.001). In conclusion, we have shown that fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the liver can obtain sufficient tissue for biochemical measurement of the hepatic iron concentration in an animal model of iron overload. The clinical applications of fine-needle aspiration liver biopsy in human beings with iron overload is currently being investigated.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1992

Magnetic resonance imaging of tendon and ligament abnormalities: Part II. Pelvis and lower extremities.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has provided an ideal means, unmatched by other preexisting modalities, of examining musculoskeletal abnormalities, particularly those involving tendons and ligaments in the lower extremities. Lack of motion artifact, convenience of application of surface coil, and absence of overlying structures have made the lower extremities ideally suited to MRI. In addition, the abundance of adjacent adipose tissue provides a superb contrast background. Although evaluation of trauma remains the most common reason for MRI examination, many other conditions may also affect tendons and ligaments. As in other soft-tissue, chondral, and osteochondral lesions, MRI provides exquisite details of abnormalities in these structures. Part II of this review systematically reviews the abnormalities of tendons and ligaments in the pelvis and lower extremities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Magnetic resonance imaging of tendon and ligament abnormalities: Part I. Spine and upper extremities.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has proven to be an ideal technique for evaluating tendons and ligaments, which, because of their fibrous structure, have a low signal intensity on all sequences. Trauma and a wide variety of other conditions cause aberrations in the normal appearance of these structures, ranging from minor alterations in shape, size, appearance, and continuity to various changes in signal intensity within the tendon, tendon sheath, and ligament on different sequences. The purpose of this paper is to review MRI findings in patients with abnormalities of tendons and ligaments in the spine and upper extremities.

Aged↗