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Biomedical subjects

R S Riley

Publications and source records attributed to R S Riley.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Rapid diagnosis of acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) in a patient with respiratory failure using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) with calcofluor white (CW) staining.

A diagnosis of exclusion, acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is an acute febrile illness with respiratory impairment, diffuse pulmonary infiltrates, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid eosinophilia. Whether pulmonary eosinophilia in AEP is primary or secondary remains undetermined. We report here a 22-year-old auto mechanic with severe AEP and acute respiratory failure who required intubation and ventilatory support. The patient's bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was analyzed using cultures, cytology, Wright/Giemsa, Gram, Gomori-methenamine-silver (GMS), and calcofluor white (CW) stains (1). Despite extensive evaluation, no infectious etiology was found. CW staining helped us rapidly to exclude Pneumocystis carinii or fungal infection and to focus attention toward the diagnosis of AEP. Transbronchial biopsy was unnecessary and supportive therapy without systemic glucocorticoids was followed by recovery within a few weeks. In this case, bronchoalveolar lavage with CW staining was of great assistance in the rapid diagnosis and initial management of AEP. Our literature review found no prior article using CW staining for evaluation of AEP.

Acute Disease

Antiphospholipid antibodies: standardization and testing.

A phenomenon originally scorned as a laboratory nuisance has turned out to be an important cause of thromboembolism, fetal death, and other forms of human disease. Investigations of this inaptly named "lupus anticoagulant" has led to the discovery of at least two distinct types of autoimmune antibodies. In spite of recent discoveries regarding the pathophysiology of these antibodies, their clinical significance is still controversial.

Antibodies, Antiphospholipid

Laboratory implementation of a rapid three-stain technique for detection of microorganisms from lower respiratory specimens.

A rapid, cost-effective method for the evaluation of lower respiratory specimen has become increasingly important in the diagnosis of pulmonary diseases in immunocompromised patients. In the past, the technically demanding, time-consuming, and expensive Gomori-methenamine-silver (GMS) stain was the principal means for the evaluation of these specimens. In this study, we compared the GMS stain with a new rapid, three-stain protocol for the evaluation of lower respiratory specimens. Lower respiratory specimens were obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Conventional Wright/Giemsa and Gram stains were utilized, as well as a contemporary strain, calcofluor white (CW). A cell count was performed on the BAL specimens, and cytospins were stained by the three stains. The calcofluor white-stained slides were examined with an epi-fluorescent microscope, whereas the other stains were evaluated with a conventional light microscope. Gomorimethenamine-silver (GMS), acid-fast bacillus (AFB), and Papanicolaou (PAP) stains were performed as controls. Thirty-two BAL procedures were performed in 20 (63%) male patients and 12 (37%) female patients. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia in 31% of the patients, malignant hematologic disease in 28%, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in 9%, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in 28%. Of these specimens, 78% were adequate for interpretation and 22% were inadequate. Bacteria were found in 50% (16/32) of all BALs, fungi were found in 9% (3/32), and Pneumocystis carinii was found in 9% (3/32). Gram-positive bacteria were most frequently found in patients with pneumonia (80%, 4/5), whereas P. carinii was identified in patients with AIDS. There were no false-positive results. One CW stain was equivocal for P. carinii due to high fluorescent background. Laboratory implementation of the rapid, three-staining technique was accomplished without difficulty in microbiology and hematology laboratory sections. Specimen evaluation with the rapid staining protocol was technically easy to perform; however, experience in ultraviolet fluorescent microscopy was crucial for interpretation of CW stain. All results were available in 2 hr, cost was reduced by 30%, and the assays were available 7 days/week. Further studies are ongoing to substantiate the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of this technique, as well as clinical guidelines for its optimal utilization.

Adult

Variations associated with disaggregation methods in DNA flow cytometry.

We investigated the variations in DNA ploidy by flow cytometry (FC) among cell suspensions acquired by different disaggregation methods from the same tumor specimens. Cell suspensions (n = 121) of 40 solid tumors were obtained by mechanical mincing (n = 33), enzymatic digestion (n = 19), in vitro fine needle aspiration (FNA) (n = 34) or scraping (n = 35) of the tumor tissues. Mechanical disaggregation gave the highest cell yield, whereas enzymatic digestion provided the best cell viability. The mean values for the G0/G1 coefficient of variation, DNA indices and percent S phase were not significantly different in cell suspensions obtained with the four methods. However, the yield of malignant cells ranged from 60.4 +/- 5.3% (SEM) (enzymatic) to 82.3 +/- 3.1% (scraping). Tissue aliquots of 32 tumors were disaggregated by three to four methods, and the combined results of DNA ploidy obtained from different cell preparations showed that 22 tumors were nondiploid, but concordance with an abnormal DNA peak was found in only 27.3% (6/22) of the DNA nondiploid tumors. Our results indicate that scraping tumor tissue appears to be the best method for DNA FC since it has the highest percentage (61.3) of DNA nondiploid clones. Also, we believe the multiple samplings may provide comprehensive information on the DNA ploidy of solid tumors.

Biopsy, Needle

Comparative DNA analysis of solid tumors by flow cytometric and image analyses of touch imprints and flow cell suspensions.

Comparative DNA analysis by flow cytometric (FCM) and image analyses (IA) has shown a high concordance rate. When present, discordance has been attributed to the presence of aneuploid cell populations detected only by IA, yet missed by FCM. This phenomenon has been explained by loss of aneuploid cells during FCM cell processing, differences in sampling area, or misinterpretation of the DNA histograms. To determine which factors are responsible for the discordance between IA and FCM, 82 fresh solid tumors from various sites were examined. Flow cytometric analysis was performed on cell suspensions isolated from the tumors, whereas IA was performed on touch imprints (IAT) and on cytosmears of the same cell suspension used for FCM (IAF). Comparison between IAT and IAF (IAT/IAF) assessed cell processing and sampling area differences, whereas IAF/FCM comparison assessed differences in apparatus and methodology as possible contributing factors to discordance. Furthermore, DNA histograms of IAT, IAF, and FCM were analyzed in the discordant cases to determine whether the discordance was due primarily to different cell populations detected (true discordance) or due to differences in histogram interpretation of the same cell populations (false discordance). IAT/IAF and IAF/FCM concordance rates (90% and 88%) were not significantly different from that of IAT/FCM (87%). False discordance accounted for most of the discordant cases in IAT/FCM comparison (six cases, 67%), whereas true discordance was seen in three cases. In all three truly discordant cases, the DNA-aneuploid cell populations detected only by IAT yet missed by FCM were also detected by IAF. This study demonstrates that discordance between IA and FCM is probably not due to cell loss during FCM cell processing or sampling area differences, but may be due to differences in assessing DNA ploidy in the interpretation of IA histograms and/or dilution of aneuploid cells by normal diploid cells in FCM.

Cell Separation

Cellular proliferation markers in the evaluation of human cancer.

Our knowledge of normal growth regulatory mechanisms, and of the disordered growth that occurs during tumorigenesis, has greatly increased during the past decade. In particular, these studies have emphasized the importance of chromosomal alterations, genetic heterogeneity, and cell proliferation in tumorigenesis and metastasis. As a result, the early diagnosis and treatment of malignancy appear to be even more important than previously recognized. Clinical studies of tumor proliferative activity were first conducted by thymidine-labeling techniques and more recently by flow cytometric analysis of DNA content. This information appears to provide important information that directly relates to tumor behavior and is of great prognostic significance in many tumors. In contrast, total nuclear DNA content, as measured by flow cytometry or image analysis, appears to be an "epi-phenomenon," and its clinical significance varies in different tumors. The potential clinical value of this research is enormous, because a rapid, accurate nonradioisotopic flow cytometric determination of tumor kinetic parameters, simultaneously with DNA content and surface antigen expression, would provide information of great importance for determining patient prognosis and making therapeutic decisions. Under these circumstances, analysis of DNA content and proliferative activity should be applied cautiously to patient care. Stringent quality control should be exercised, and the potential significance and limitations of these data should be clearly provided to the requesting physician. Most importantly, additional research during the next few years will provide answers to the many questions that remain about the appropriate clinical role of this information. As Stanbridge and Nowell stated at the conclusion of a recent Cold Spring Harbor meeting on the Origins of Human Cancer, "We have come a long way. . . and we have a very long way to go."

Biomarkers, Tumor

Assessment of coronary flow reserve using digital angiography before and after successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Important alterations of coronary blood flow and coronary flow reserve occur during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). This study evaluated these alterations using digital subtraction angiography. Coronary flow reserve was determined before and after successful PTCA in 20 patients with 1-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD). Ten other patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries, normal exercise electrocardiographic responses and normal cardiac structure also were evaluated. Coronary flow reserve was calculated as the ratio of papavarine-induced hyperemic flow to basal flow. Flow reserve for the stenotic artery in patients who underwent PTCA was 1.6 +/- 0.2 (mean +/- standard error of the mean) (range 0.9 to 3.9, n = 20). After successful PTCA, flow reserve for this artery increased to 3.1 +/- 0.2 (range 1.7 to 5.2, n = 20) (p less than 0.0001 vs before PTCA). Flow reserve for adjacent nonstenotic, nondilated arteries was 2.6 +/- 0.2 (range 1.4 to 4.5, n = 13). Coronary flow reserve in the stenotic arteries before PTCA was far below normal. In addition, both successfully dilated arteries and nondilated, nonstenotic arteries in these patients with CAD had flow reserve values smaller than those in the patients with normal arteries (4.8 +/- 0.6, range 2.3 to 12.6, n =22) (p less than 0.01). These findings suggest that digital angiographic determinations of coronary flow reserve can reveal important alterations of individual artery vasodilatory capacity. The data suggest that although an epicardial coronary in a patient with CAD may appear angiographically normal, flow reserve remains impaired due to abnormalities as yet undefined.

Adult

Postradiation biopsy and histological effects in early-stage prostatic cancer treated with 125iodine implants.

One hundred twenty patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate were treated with 125I irradiation to the prostate and pelvic lymphadenectomy. Clinical stages were A-2 (13 pts), B-1 (34 pts), B-2 (49 pts), and C-1 (24 pts). The tumors were well differentiated in 44%, moderately differentiated in 39% and poorly differentiated in 17%. Nineteen of 22 patients with positive lymph nodes had either moderately or poorly differentiated tumors. A total radiation dosage between 15,000 and 24,000 rads per year were given to all patients. Seventy-six patients had been rebiopsied at 1 year, and 26 were positive for malignancy (34%). Thirty-eight patients had rebiopsy at 2 years, and 16 were positive (42%). Forty-four percent of the postradiation biopsies were of a different histologic grade from the primary lesion. Radiation injury was identified in 95% of the posttreatment biopsies and were moderate or severe in 71%. One hundred one patients are living from 1 to 9 years. Eight patients have died of metastatic carcinoma, and 11 have died of cardiovascular problems.

Adenocarcinoma

Coronary flow reserve provided by sequential internal mammary artery grafts.

Although internal mammary artery bypass grafts have a high patency rate, the adequacy of blood flow through such conduits, particularly if used sequentially, has been questioned. To evaluate this issue, coronary flow reserve was studied in 20 patients after coronary bypass surgery. Nine patients had sequential internal mammary grafts to the diagonal and left anterior descending coronary arteries; five had a single internal mammary graft to the left anterior descending artery and six had sequential saphenous vein grafts. Fifteen additional single vein grafts were also placed in these patients. Coronary flow reserve was measured after contrast-induced hyperemia by a digital subtraction angiographic technique an average of 25 days after surgery. There was no difference in coronary flow reserve between the proximal and distal anastomotic regions in either the sequential internal mammary graft group (2.14 +/- 0.50 versus 2.29 +/- 0.68, n = 8, p = NS) or the sequential vein group (1.77 +/- 0.49 versus 2.08 +/- 0.78, n = 6, p = NS). In addition, the flow reserve provided to either vascular bed of the sequential internal mammary graft was not different from that provided by a single internal mammary graft (1.64 +/- 0.39, n = 5), a single vein graft (1.95 +/- 0.95, n = 15) or nonstenotic native coronary arteries (2.04 +/- 0.87, n = 34). No cases of intracoronary steal were observed. Although some patients had unequal flow reserves between the proximal and distal anastomotic zones, these occurred in the setting of residual coronary stenoses distal to the site of graft insertion or prior myocardial infarction in the grafted distribution.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cardiac Catheterization

Coronary circulatory dynamics before and after successful coronary angioplasty.

The hypothesis that successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty restores normal coronary circulatory dynamics was tested. Regional coronary blood flow, myocardial oxygen consumption and lactate extraction were measured at rest and during sustained pacing tachycardia. Before angioplasty, tachycardia stress was associated with an attenuated blood flow and oxygen consumption response and the induction of anaerobic metabolism. After successful angioplasty, blood flow and myocardial oxygen consumption increased during tachycardia stress and aerobic metabolism was sustained. The influence of basal alpha-adrenergic tone in modifying the time course of blood flow response to abrupt pacing was also assessed. Patients with normal coronary arteries demonstrated delayed increase in blood flow after alpha-adrenergic blockade. Alpha-adrenergic blockade did not affect the time course of blood flow response in patients with coronary artery disease, suggesting that alpha-adrenergic tone was chronically withdrawn. In patients undergoing coronary angioplasty, flow response before angioplasty was delayed, consistent with withdrawal of basal alpha-adrenergic tone. After coronary angioplasty, a brisk flow response was observed, indicating that basal alpha-adrenergic tone had been restored. Thus, successful coronary angioplasty restores the normal responsiveness of the coronary circulation.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists

Percutaneous vs surgical placement of intra-aortic balloon assist.

Fifty-three patients required IABP over a one-year period. The type of insertion (percutaneous vs surgical) was used randomly. The hemodynamic effect, complication rate, and inability to insert the balloon were similar in both groups. Besides less trauma and cost-effectiveness, the most important advantage of percutaneous over surgical balloon insertion is shorter time interval between decision and insertion which thus allows faster stabilization of ischemic heart patients.

Adult

Echocardiographic features of aortic ball valve prosthesis malfunction.

A case of aortic ball valve prosthesis malfunction is described in which the poppet became alternately stuck in the open and closed position. The patient experienced chest pain followed by pulmonary edema and cardiac arrest. Malfunction of prosthetic valve was diagnosed on echocardiogram and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was carried out until a Bjork-Shiley valve could be inserted in place of the faulty prosthesis. At the time of the operation, poppet migration had occurred and the poppet could not be found. Subsequent Bjork-Shiley aortic valve prosthesis dysfunction was suggested by variation in the intensity of the aortic opening sound and in the duration of the systolic ejection period. Fluoroscopy revealed the missing poppet in the left ventricle. Following surgical removal of the poppet, "normal" Bjork-Shiley valve function was restored.

Aortic Valve

Clinical results of early stage prostatic cancer treated by pelvic lymphadenectomy and 125iodine implants.

Eighty patients with clinically early stage adenocarcinoma of the prostate were treated with pelvic lymphadenectomy and interstitial implantation of 125iodine seeds. A new applicator that permits greater accuracy in spacing the seeds has been developed. Postoperative complications were minimal, with urinary irritability being the most common. Multiple transrectal needle biopsies were performed 12 and 18 months after treatment in 46 patients. The prostatic biopsies were negative for carcinoma in 61 per cent and positive in 39 per cent of the patients. Long-term followup is needed to correlate post-treatment biopsies with survival and to determine if patients with positive biopsies should receive further treatment.

Aged

Evaluation of the role of coronary angioplasty in patients with unstable angina pectoris.

Seventeen patients presenting with unstable angina pectoris underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Despite vigorous medical therapy, all patients were disabled with 10 experiencing refractory in-hospital angina. PTCA was judged successful in 13 patients and resulted in decreased coronary diameter narrowing from 80 +/- 16% to 34 +/- 13% and reduced transstenotic pressure gradient from 69 +/- 13 to 23 +/- 12 mm Hg. Regional coronary blood flow (CBF) and myocardial metabolism were assessed at rest and during pacing tachycardia in six patients with left anterior descending coronary stenosis. Prior to PTCA, neither regional CBF increased nor coronary vascular resistance declined during rapid pacing; myocardial lactate extraction fell, indicating a shift from aerobic to anerobic metabolism. Following PTCA, however, rapid pacing resulted in increased regional CBF, decreased coronary vascular resistance, and preservation of aerobic metabolism. Following PTCA, successfully dilated patients demonstrated marked relief of angina symptoms, increase in functional capacity, and objective exercise ECG and thallium scintigraphic evidence of relief of previously ischemic myocardium. This investigation demonstrates that PTCA, when combined with medical therapy, can be performed safely and successfully in selected patients who present with otherwise refractory unstable angina, and indicates the procedure deserves further study as a therapeutic alternative in this condition.

Adult

Restoration of normal coronary hemodynamics and myocardial metabolism after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Regional coronary blood flow and myocardial metabolism were evaluated in a patient who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Angioplasty increased coronary luminal diameter and reduced trans-stenotic gradient. Before PTCA, angina pectoris developed during sustained rapid atrial pacing and was associated with abnormal lactate metabolism and a mild increase in coronary flow and myocardial oxygen consumption. After PTCA, angina was absent during pacing and lactate extraction was preserved. Coronary flow and oxygen consumption were increased to a greater degree than before PTCA. The temporal response of changes in coronary blood flow due to an abrupt increase in heart rate was also evaluated. Floow reached peak value more rapidly after PTCA. These observations suggest that PTCA may result in improved regional coronary blood flow and restoration of normal flow regulatory mechanism and myocardial metabolism.

Angina Pectoris