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Biomedical subjects

S B Williams

Publications and source records attributed to S B Williams.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Inflammatory pseudotumors of the major salivary glands. Clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of six cases.

Inflammatory pseudotumor is a pathologic term used to describe reactive, pseudoneoplastic phenomena, which reportedly occur in many parts of the body. Clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical findings in six cases of inflammatory pseudotumor of the major salivary glands are described. All six lesions involved the parotid gland. There were three men and three women affected, with a median age of 72.5 years. All patients presented with a swelling of several months' duration in the parotid region. Five patients were alive and free of tumor at an average of 3.2 years after surgical removal, and one patient was lost to follow-up. The lesions were firm, discrete nodules, grossly described as homogenous yellow-gray tissue. Histologically, all lesions contained a diversified admixture of four histological elements: (a) myofibroblasts, (b) histiocytes, (c) plasma cells, and (d) lymphocytes. Results of immunohistochemical studies showed a biphasic spindle cell population of myofibroblasts and histiocytes with variable staining characteristics for KP-1(CD-3), smooth muscle actin, muscle-specific actin, and vimentin. These findings are in agreement with the concept that inflammatory pseudotumor is a fibroinflammatory lesion with an abundant component of myofibroblastic/fibrohistiocytic elements.

Actins↗

Endogenous platelet fibrinogen: its modulation after surface expression is related to size-selective access to and conformational changes in the bound fibrinogen.

Platelet stimulation results in the release of endogenous platelet fibrinogen which binds to the platelet surface. Previous studies have demonstrated that plasma fibrinogen bound to activated platelets becomes inaccessible to a variety of probes. We have studied endogenous platelet fibrinogen binding to activated platelets by employing an immunopurified polyclonal anti-fibrinogen antibody and F26, a monoclonal anti-fibrinogen antibody, which recognizes fibrinogen only when it is bound to a surface. Employing the Ig or F(ab')2 of the poly- or monoclonal antibody we found a marked decrease of fibrinogen accessibility 30-60 min after platelet activation. In contrast, platelet-bound fibrinogen remains accessible to the Fab fragment of F26 at a constant level for 30 min and increases at 60 min. The reduction of the polyclonal Fab fragment binding at 30 and 60 min is similar to the F26 Ig. These results indicate that the decreased accessibility of bound fibrinogen is related to two mechanisms; (1) that the access route to fibrinogen in size selective for the antibody probes and only small antibody probes, e.g. Fab fragments, can gain access to fibrinogen and (2) fibrinogen undergoes a conformational change(s) after binding which exposes at least one neo-epitope in the D domain of fibrinogen and which may decrease or mask the reactivity of other fibrinogen domains. Only the F26 Fab probe has full access to and identifies fibrinogen present on the platelet surface 60 min after stimulation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Platelets adhere to sulfatides by von Willebrand factor dependent and independent mechanisms.

Unstimulated human platelets from normal volunteers adhere to sulfatides (galactosylceramide-I3-sulfate) as single cells but do not adhere appreciably to other lipids including gangliosides, neutral glycolipids, phospholipids or cholesterol-3-SO4. Platelet adhesion to sulfatide is saturable and dose-dependent, reaches maximal levels in 90 to 120 min, and is not divalent cation-dependent. Because sulfatides bind von Willebrand factor (vWf) with specificity and high affinity and platelet adhesion to structurally related sulfated glycolipids is approximately proportionate to their ability to bind vWf, we examined whether vWf mediates platelet adhesion to sulfatides. Platelets from a patient with severe Type I von Willebrand's disease adhere poorly to sulfatides. However, adhesion to levels seen with normal platelets is restored by the addition of vWf. Adhesion of normal platelets can be partially inhibited by a monospecific antibody to vWf. Normal platelet adhesion to sulfatides, however, is not increased following preincubation with vWf. Both vWf binding and platelet adhesion to sulfatides can be inhibited by the sulfated polysaccharide dextran sulfate at low concentration, fucoidan at high concentrations, but not by heparin, fibrinogen, fibronectin, or the synthetic peptides Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro or Gly-Arg-Gly-Glu-Ser-Pro. Thus, adhesion to sulfatides appears to be of two types; vWf dependent (50-75%) and vWf independent (25-50%).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Platelet von Willebrand factor.

von Willebrand factor (vWF) circulates in the blood in two distinct compartments. One, plasma vWF, is synthesized and released from endothelial cells; the second, synthesized by megakaryocytes, circulates in platelets primarily stored in the alpha granules. Recent experimental and clinical studies of von Willebrand's disease (vWD) indicate that platelet vWF plays an important role in the bleeding time determination and the degree of clinical bleeding in vWD. Platelet vWF is released from the platelet alpha granules by various agonists and then rebinds to the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex. Fibrinogen or monoclonal antibodies against this complex inhibit 60 to 70% of the expression of platelet vWF. Aspirin inhibits 80% of the adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet vWF surface expression, and the platelet vWF surface expression that is not inhibited by aspirin can be almost totally inhibited by disruption of the platelet cytoskeleton. Platelet vWF may, in part, be expressed in the open canalicular system prebound to a receptor. Transfusion studies have shown that correction of the bleeding time in severe vWD requires both plasma and platelet vWF. On the basis of numerous studies, we hypothesize that platelet vWF plays an important role in platelet interaction with the subendothelial surfaces under conditions of high shear stress. After platelet contact, platelet vWF is released, binds to the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex, and forms a bridge between the subendothelial surface and the platelet, which initiates and supports platelet spreading. Platelet vWF also acts as an intercellular bridge between platelets and thereby promotes platelet aggregation. This process is important not only in the initial steps of hemostasis but also in the process of thrombosis.

Animals↗

Chronic exercise and its hemodynamic influences on resting blood pressure of hypertensive rats.

Studies with male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were initiated to determine the hemodynamic relationships associated with the lower resting caudal artery systolic blood pressure (SBP) of endurance-trained SHR populations. After assignment into nontrained (NT, n = 38) and trained (T, n = 38) groups, the T animals were exercised 5 times/wk on a motor-driven treadmill for 12-16 wk at a moderate intensity that ranged from 40 to 70% of their maximum O2 consumption capacity (VO2max). SBP, VO2max, and treadmill run time were determined before the experimental period began and before the animals were instrumented for hemodynamic measurements. At the end of the study, the T rats exhibited significantly lower SBP (NT = 210 +/- 3, T = 200 +/- 3 mmHg) and significantly higher VO2max (NT = 75 +/- 2, T = 83 +/- 2 ml.min-1.kg-1) and run durations (NT = 11.4 +/- 0.4, T = 14.5 +/- 0.3 min). When the animals were anesthetized for insertion of catheters and microprobes for blood pressure and cardiac output (thermodilution) measurements, the T rats had lower values for body mass, heart rate, mean blood pressure, cardiac output, and cardiac index than the NT rats; however, only the body mass and heart rate differences were statistically significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Arginine-glycine-aspartic acid- and fibrinogen gamma-chain carboxyterminal peptides inhibit platelet adherence to arterial subendothelium at high wall shear rates. An effect dissociable from interference with adhesive protein binding.

Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)- and fibrinogen gamma-chain carboxyterminal (GQQHHLGGAKQAGDV) peptides inhibit fibrinogen, fibronectin (Fn), vitronectin, and von Willebrand factor (vWF) binding to the platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex (GP IIb-IIIa). GP IIb-IIIa, vWF, and Fn are essential for normal platelet adherence to subendothelium. We added peptides to normal citrated whole blood before perfusion over human umbilical artery subendothelium and evaluated platelet adherence morphometrically at high (2,600 s-1) and low (800 s-1) wall shear rates. We also examined the effects of the peptides on platelet adhesion to collagen in a static system. At the high wall shear rate, RGDS and GQQHHLGGAKQAGDV caused dose-dependent reduction in the surface coverage with spread and adherent platelets. Amino acid transposition and conservative substitutions of RGD peptides and the AGDV peptide significantly inhibited platelet adherence at 2,600 s-1. By contrast, the modified RGD peptides and AGDV do not affect adhesive protein binding to platelets. None of the native or modified RGD- or fibrinogen gamma-chain peptides significantly inhibited either platelet adherence to subendothelium at 800 s-1 or platelet adhesion to collagen. Our findings demonstrate that peptides that interfere with adhesive protein binding to GP IIb-IIIa inhibit platelet adherence to vascular subendothelium with flowing blood only at high wall shear rates. Platelet adherence to subendothelium at high wall shear rates appears to be mediated by different recognition specificities from those required for fluid-phase adhesive protein binding or static platelet adhesion.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Intravenous quinine therapy of hospitalized children with Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Kinshasa, Zaire.

To examine the clinical and parasitologic efficacy of quinine, we studied 34 children (7 months-13 years old) with severe or moderately severe Plasmodium falciparum infections. Quinine 10 mg/kg every 8 hr for 3 days was administered, initially by intravenous infusion of quinine formate followed by oral quinine dihydrochloride when tolerated. Thirty-three of the 34 patients were clinically well and had negative malaria smears 7 days after the initiation of therapy; 1 child, who presented in coma, died 29 hr after enrollment. The mean fever clearance time was 44.1 hr, and the mean parasite clearance time was 59.6 hr. A mean peak quinine level of 9.7 ppm was attained after the second dose of quinine, and the minimum concentration was maintained at 5-7 ppm during the 2nd and 3rd hospital days. In vitro testing was conducted with parasites from 10 patients: 9 isolates were resistant to chloroquine, and inhibition of schizont development with quinine occurred at a concentration of 8-32 pmol/well.

Administration, Oral↗

von Willebrand factor release induced by endotoxin.

In vitro von Willebrand factor is released from endothelial cells by a variety of stimuli. These studies have provided information on the synthesis, multimeric organization, sites of storage, and release of von Willebrand factor. We have administered endotoxin (Escherichia coli, 4 ng/kg) intravenously to 11 normal volunteers and have followed changes in levels of factor VIII, von Willebrand factor antigen, von Willebrand factor activity (ristocetin cofactor assay), and the multimeric organization of von Willebrand factor. Within 2 hours after injection, the levels of factor VIII, von Willebrand factor antigen, and von Willebrand factor activity rose significantly compared with the preinjection values (p less than 0.001, p less than 0.005, and p less than 0.001, respectively). The levels peaked 4 to 6 hours after the endotoxin injection. The mean peak values of von Willebrand factor antigen and activity were 4.67 microns/ml and 4.62 microns/ml, respectively. The factor VIII level rose to a mean of 2.87 microns/ml. Forty-eight hours after the administration of endotoxin, the von Willebrand factor antigen and activity levels remained significantly elevated (2.62 micrograms/ml and 2.20 microns/ml, respectively), but by 24 hours, the factor VIII level was not significantly elevated (1.47 microns/ml). After endotoxin administration, the agarose gel electrophoresis of von Willebrand factor demonstrated an increase in the largest von Willebrand factor multimers normally present and the appearance of von Willebrand factor multimers larger than those normally present in plasma. The largest von Willebrand factor multimers were present for 2 to 4 hours after the administration of endotoxin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Analysis of blood and urine samples for hydroxychloroquine and three major metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method using fluorescence detection is described for the quantification of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and three of its metabolites in blood and urine samples. The method is selective, permitting quantification of analytes without interferences from chloroquine or quinine in the sample. Detection limits for HCQ, desethylhydroxychloroquine, desethylchloroquine, and bisdesethylchloroquine are 10, 30, 5, and 5 ppb, respectively, for a 100-microliters blood or urine sample. The internally standardized method requires only one extraction step and utilizes normal-phase HPLC conditions including an amine modifier in the mobile phase. These conditions facilitate fluorescence detection, selective separation, and acceptable peak shapes. A mobile phase of 0.5% n-butylamine in methanol-hexane-methyl tert. butyl ether (1:1:1) is used in the analysis. Analysis of blood and urine samples from two healthy volunteers given 400 mg of Plaquenil (310 mg of HCQ base) weekly for four weeks provided data on HCQ metabolism for the two persons during the recommended chemoprophylactic regimen for malaria.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Chloroquine treatment of severe malaria in children. Pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and new dosage recommendations.

Although empirical regimens of parenteral chloroquine have been used extensively to treat severe malaria for 40 years, recent recommendations state that parenteral chloroquine should no longer be used because of potential toxicity. We studied prospectively the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of seven chloroquine regimens in 58 Gambian children with severe chloroquine-sensitive falciparum malaria. In all regimens the total cumulative dose was 25 mg of chloroquine base per kilogram of body weight. Chloroquine was rapidly absorbed after either intramuscular or subcutaneous administration (5 mg of base per kilogram every 12 hours), producing high peak blood concentrations but transient hypotension in 5 of 18 patients (28 percent). Intermittent intravenous infusion (5 mg of base per kilogram over 4 hours, repeated every 12 hours) also produced wide fluctuations in chloroquine levels, suggesting incomplete distribution from a small central compartment. Continuous infusion (0.83 mg of base per kilogram per hour for 30 hours) and smaller, more frequent intramuscular or subcutaneous injections of chloroquine (3.5 mg of base per kilogram every 6 hours) produced smoother blood-concentration profiles with lower early peak levels and no adverse cardiovascular or neurologic effects. Chloroquine given by nasogastric tube (initial dose, 10 mg of base per kilogram) was absorbed well, even in comatose children. We conclude that simple alterations in dosage and frequency of administration can give parenteral chloroquine an acceptable therapeutic ratio and reinstate it as the treatment of choice for severe malaria in areas where chloroquine resistance is not a major problem.

Animals↗

Plasma and platelet von Willebrand factor defects in uremia.

PURPOSE: Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the prolonged bleeding times and clinical bleeding in chronic renal failure. Recent evidence has implicated an abnormality in the structure or function of the von Willebrand factor or in its interaction with uremic platelets. We investigated this factor in 11 patients with chronic renal failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood samples for cell counts, chemistries, and coagulation studies were obtained from 11 patients with chronic renal failure and prolonged bleeding times. Concentrations of von Willebrand factor antigen and ristocetin cofactor activity were determined in plasma and platelets. Multimeric analysis of von Willebrand factor in plasma and platelets was conducted. In eight cases, the platelets of uremic patients were purified, and the thrombin- and ristocetin-induced binding of normal von Willebrand factor to these platelets was examined. RESULTS: The mean plasma von Willebrand factor antigen and activity (ristocetin cofactor assay) were elevated 2.77 mu/ml and 1.88 mu/ml, respectively (normal, 1.01 mu/ml and 1.07 mu/ml, respectively). The ratio of activity to antigen in uremic plasma was 0.67 (normal, 1.05). The mean platelet von Willebrand factor antigen and activity in the uremic patients was decreased (0.26 and 0.50 mu/10(9) platelets, respectively) compared with normal patients (0.46 and 0.93 mu/10(9) platelets, respectively). The oligomeric structure of the uremic plasma von Willebrand factor lacked the largest multimers. Collection of the blood for analysis in several protease inhibitors and/or EDTA did not change the multimeric structure. The von Willebrand factor multimeric structure of platelets from uremic patients was normal. The ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation of the uremic platelet-rich plasma was decreased compared with normal plasma samples. Thrombin and ristocetin-induced binding of normal von Willebrand factor to uremic patients' platelets was indistinguishable from the binding to normal platelets. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the uremic platelet-binding sites for von Willebrand factor are intact and that the defect in ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation is most likely plasmatic in nature. At least one plasmatic defect was the observed reduction or absence of the largest plasma von Willebrand factor multimer in uremic patients. The platelet von Willebrand content was significantly decreased. These defects may play a role in the prolonged bleeding time and the clinical bleeding observed in patients with uremia.

Bleeding Time↗

Field application of a colorimetric method of assaying chloroquine and desethylchloroquine in urine.

In a study in western Kenya of malaria-infected adult women who had been treated with chloroquine, we compared the level of chloroquine and its principal metabolite, desethylchloroquine, in urine, measured using a newly developed modified Haskins test, with the level of chloroquine in whole blood, determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Over a 28-day follow-up period, 277 matched urine and blood samples from 81 women were evaluated. A high correlation was observed between the level of chloroquine in whole blood (in mug/l) and that of chloroquine + desethylchloroquine in urine (in mg/l). The test was easily performed and may be useful for monitoring use of chloroquine in a community and determining pre-study or post-treatment ingestion or absorption of the drug in in vivo studies of parasite sensitivity.

Adolescent↗

A variant of type II von Willebrand disease with an abnormal triplet structure and discordant effects of protease inhibitors on plasma and platelet von Willebrand factor structure.

We have characterized the plasma and platelet von Willebrand factor (vWf) multimeric structure of a patient with von Willebrand disease (vWd) as having a long bleeding time, no aggregation of her platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to ristocetin, and very low plasma and platelet von Willebrand antigen (vWf Ag) and vWf activity. The abnormalities of the plasma and platelet vWf have not been previously described. In particular, the patient's plasma and platelet vWf lacked the intermediate and largest vWf multimers and the slowest migrating minor band (band 1) of the triplet was markedly diminished compared to the major band (band 2) and the fastest migrating band of the triplet (band 3). A similar multimeric structure was seen in the platelet vWf. Collection of the patient's blood in protease inhibitors prior to the analysis of the platelet and plasma vWf structure revealed that the plasma vWf multimeric structure did not change, while the patient's platelet vWf showed a marked change with the appearance of the intermediate and large multimers and almost total disappearance of the abnormal multimeric structure. Direct comparison of this patient's plasma with previously reported cases of type IIA, IIC, and IID revealed marked differences in their multimeric organization compared to our patient. Employing the presently accepted convention, we have designated this variant type of vWd type IIG.

Blood Platelets↗

Asialo von Willebrand factor binding to and aggregation of platelets: effects of inhibitors of platelet metabolism and function.

Asialo von Willebrand factor (As-VWF) binds both to the glycoprotein lb (GPlb) and glycoprotein llb-llla (GPllb-llla) complex. We studied the role of various platelet pathways involved in the As-VWF-induced platelet aggregation. We used prostacyclin, dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate, forskolin, 5'-p-fluorosulfonyl adenosine, apyrase, aspirin, and EDTA to evaluate the role of adenosine diphosphate (ADP), thromboxane synthesis, and the effects of calcium on the binding of As-VWF to platelets and ensuing aggregation. We found that agents that increase intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate totally inhibit As-VWF-induced platelet aggregation but only partially inhibit the As-VWF binding to the GPllb-llla complex. The endoperoxide-thromboxane pathway does not play a major role in either As-VWF binding to platelets or induction of platelet aggregation. As-VWF binding to the GPllb-llla complex appears to be approximately 70% to 80% ADP dependent and approximately 20% to 30% ADP independent. The binding of As-VWF to the GPllb-llla complex appears to be different from the binding of intact VWF or fibrinogen to the GPllb-llla complex with the platelet agonists ADP or thrombin.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Thrombocytopenia associated with pregnancy in a patient with type IIB von Willebrand's disease.

Thrombocytopenia may accompany variant (type IIB) von Willebrand's disease (vWD) and is thought to result from binding of the abnormal von Willebrand factor (vWF) to the patient's platelets with subsequent platelet aggregate formation and clearance. We have studied a patient with type IIB vWD who became thrombocytopenic during two pregnancies. During the third trimester of pregnancy, her platelet counts dropped to 20,000 to 30,000/microL, and an increase in the intermediate-sized vWF multimers was seen on agarose gel electrophoresis. During this time her platelet-rich plasma showed spontaneous platelet aggregation, and her plasma caused spontaneous aggregation of normal washed platelets. Antibody to platelet glycoprotein Ib completely blocked the spontaneous platelet aggregation, while antibody to platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa did not block the response at the concentrations used. Inhibitors of platelet function that elevate platelet cyclic AMP also blocked the response, but aspirin had no effect on the spontaneous platelet aggregation. The patient illustrates that the platelet counts in one individual can vary greatly in type IIB vWD and that the thrombocytopenia that occurs can appear under physiologic conditions that stimulate the endogenous production of the patient's abnormal vWF. The mechanisms leading to spontaneous platelet aggregation and thrombocytopenia appear to be similar to those described for other patients with type IIB vWD.

Adult↗