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Biomedical subjects

S Miller

Publications and source records attributed to S Miller.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Intrarectal tear from water skiing.

We report a case of intrarectal tear and hemorrhage after a fall while water skiing. The injury resulted from rectal douche, or jet enema, which is dangerous because of the high pressure of the water jets forced into the rectum. The patient, a middle-aged woman, had colonoscopy, which revealed a deep rectal laceration. During subsequent colostomy, a full-thickness laceration and an extensive pelvic and retroperitoneal hematoma with some free blood were found. The patient's recovery was uneventful, and she subsequently had reanastomosis of her colostomy. We recommend protective apparel to prevent these injuries.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1992

Cosmetic breast surgery.

Appropriate follow-up care, including early postoperative serial mammography, is essential for women receiving cosmetic breast surgery. Common procedures include augmentation or reduction mammoplasty and breast reconstruction following mastectomy for cancer. Postoperative complications include infection, poor wound healing and pain. Hypertrophic scar formation, which may disrupt the normal breast contour, may be reduced by gentle and frequent massage of the scar. Avoiding sun exposure and using sun screens may prevent hyperpigmentation of the scar. Reduction mammoplasty is associated with sensory loss, which is occasionally permanent. Special complications associated with augmentation mammoplasty include diffusion of silicone through the implant and unfavorable breast appearance secondary to capsular contracture. Capsular contracture may be prevented by regular implant exercises. Preoperative and early postoperative serial mammograms are essential to differentiate surgical from malignant changes.

Breast↗
PubMed1991

Inhibition of antigen-driven proliferative responses and enhancement of antibody production during infection with Brugia pahangi.

Long standing Brugia pahangi infections in seven dogs, restricted to one rear limb popliteal lymph node and its afferent ducts, were monitored with regard to proliferative responses and antibody production specific for a PBS extract of B. pahangi (BpA) by cells from infected and uninfected lymph nodes and by PBL. Five of 10 dogs were negative for proliferative responses to BpA in node cells from infected limbs, yet they had positive PBL responses, and another was negative in both node cells and PBL. Production of BpA-specific antibody was detected in cultures of node cells from infected limbs of 9 of 10 dogs, but only in two cultures of node cells from uninfected limbs and not at all in PBL cultures. Three dogs with responsive node cells produced the least amount of anti-BpA antibody in culture. Injections of B. pahangi adult worm excretory/secretory products (ES), totaling 1 mg over 48 h, into the limb of the original infections in seven dogs, resulted in inhibition of Ag-driven proliferation by cell populations previously responsive to BpA. There was a loss of PBL responsiveness by all but one infected dog and a loss of node cell response by the two dogs previously responsive in infected and uninfected nodes. This loss of responsiveness lasted at least 28 days in three dogs. There was no evidence of suppression of responses to mitogens either before or after ES injection. In contrast, BpA-specific antibody production was greatly increased in node cells from infected limbs injected with ES. Similar injections into the uninfected limbs of two infected dogs produced no change of proliferative responses or of antibody production in the uninfected node. These results indicate that ES can modulate immune cell, Ag-driven proliferation, and simultaneously enhance antibody production in previously infected nodes. This may promote parasite survival by inhibiting cellular attack based on delayed-type hypersensitivity while directing immune responses toward production of antibodies that are less damaging to the adult helminth.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Alleles at four HLA class II loci determined by oligonucleotide hybridization and their associations in five ethnic groups.

The use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and oligonucleotide hybridization offers a new approach for the definition of HLA class II alleles. It has been possible to determine 43 alleles of DRB1, four of DRB3, two of DRB4, four of DRB5, eight of DQA1, and 14 of DQB1. These alleles are inherited together in members of families and form closely associated groups which are found repeatedly and in characteristic patterns in different populations. We have determined the HLA class II alleles and analyzed their association in 431 healthy unrelated subjects including 161 North American Caucasians, 53 Latin Americans, 61 Blacks, 88 Chinese, and 68 Israeli Jews. For-locus haplotypes (DRB1; DRB3/4/5; DQA1; DQB1) were derived from 79 B cell lines and the analysis of segregation in 34 nuclear families. The B-cell lines yielded 37 and the families showed the same, and 20 other, haplotypic combinations. In addition to these 57 haplotypes, associated alleles were assigned in the unrelated panels following certain rules. The resulting haplotypes were assigned to groups known to share associated alleles. The groups were: 1) DR1, DR2, and DRw10 (13 haplotypes); 2) DR3 and DRw6 (26 haplotypes); 3) DR5 and DRw8 (24 haplotypes); 4) DR4, DR7, and DR9 (24 haplotypes). Their distribution in populations with different ethnic backgrounds was analyzed. The expressed DRB4 allele and its null mutant were determined by PCR and oligonucleotide hybridization. The different DR7 haplotypes resulting from these determinations were analyzed in a panel of 130 North American Caucasoids. This comprehensive analysis of class II HLA haplotypes in human populations should be useful in understanding the role of these genes and in various applications including anthropology, disease susceptibility, and transplantation of allogeneic organs and tissues.

Alleles↗
PubMed1991

Biochemical quantitation and histochemical localization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in the olfactory system of adult and aged rats.

The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, the rate-limiting enzyme of the hexose monophosphate shunt, was examined in olfactory epithelium, respiratory epithelium, olfactory bulb, and occipital cortex in Fisher 344 rats aged 4 and 24 months. Marked differences in this enzyme were found in olfactory compared to nonolfactory tissues. Olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulb have much greater glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity than respiratory epithelium and occipital cortex at both ages. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase remains fairly constant between adulthood and senescence in respiratory epithelium and occipital cortex. However, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity decreases during the same time in both of the olfactory tissues examined. Previous studies of changes in this enzyme with aging have shown increases in enzyme activity in some brain regions, but never the decreases that we describe in olfactory tissues. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase histochemistry revealed intense staining of both the apical layer of olfactory epithelium and of Bowman's glands along with their ducts. Histochemistry of the olfactory bulb showed strongest staining in the nerve and glomerular layers of the bulb. The functional implications of these findings are discussed.

Aging↗
PubMed1991

Behavioral toxicity of anticholinesterases in primates: chronic pyridostigmine and soman interactions.

Dose rates for continuous infusion of pyridostigmine bromide required to inhibit 30% and 60% of normal serum cholinesterase activity in rhesus monkeys were determined. The effects of continuous pyridostigmine infusion at these dose-rates on the behavioral toxicity of 5 daily repeated low-dose exposures to a toxic organophosphate (soman) were determined not be deleterious; in fact, they were slightly (and variably) protective. Relative to controls (5-day soman ED50 = 0.89 micrograms/kg/day), pyridostigmine infusions producing 30% and 60% inhibition produced 5-day ED50s of 1.25 and 1.11 micrograms/kg/day, respectively. Variability in response to the pyridostigmine-soman combinations appeared to be greater than in response to daily soman exposure without pyridostigmine infusion.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Effects of green or white light for treatment of seasonal depression.

Twelve subjects with winter depression were treated with equal quanta of green or white light in a randomized crossover study. Each treatment condition consisted of 2 hours of exposure each morning for 1 week, with at least 1 interventing week without treatment. Ratings made without knowledge of treatment condition were done before and after each condition. Both treatments significantly reduced depression ratings. White light was significantly more effective than green light in reducing endogenous symptoms, but not the "atypical" symptoms that are common features of winter depression. Furthermore, sequence of treatment conditions influenced antidepressant responses. Broad-band white light may be optimal for maximizing therapeutic response.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

DNA typing for class II HLA antigens with allele-specific or group-specific amplification. V. Typing for subsets of HLA-DR1 and DR'Br'.

Three DRB1 alleles of the DR1 group including DRB1*0101, DRB1*0102, and DRB1*0103 are currently recognized. The first two of these are defined as HLA-DR1 by serologic typing and as either Dw1 or Dw20 by typing with T cells. DRB1*0103, previously called DR'Br' or DR'BON', is not detectable by serology. Little information exists about the population frequencies of DRB1*0102 and DRB1*0103. In the present study we have used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and allele-specific oligonucleotide probes to determine these alleles. To avoid cross-hybridization with other DRB genes having the same DNA sequences as those of the region to be analyzed, we performed group-specific PCR to amplify only DR1 DRB1 genes. This was accomplished using a 21-nucleotide-long primer, homologous to the first hypervariable region common to the DR1 DRB1 genes, and which under appropriate conditions amplified only DRB1 genes of the DR1 group. Five oligonucleotide probes, one matching the second hypervariable region, two spanning the third hypervariable region, and two covering codons 82 through 89, were used to determine the three alleles. DRB1*0101 (Dw1) was found to be the major type of DR1 in North American Caucasians. In North American black and Brazilian mestizo populations DRB1*0102 (Dw20) was more prevalent. DRB1*0103 (DR'Br') was detected in only six individuals in the present study.

Alleles↗
PubMed1991

Effects of aging and dietary restriction on DNA polymerase expression in mice.

DNA polymerase alpha was isolated from livers of 6-month-, 16-month-, or 26-month-old mice fed ad libitum, or calorically restricted. The enzymes differed in chromatographic characteristics, binding affinity for DNA, and activity, with both total activity and specific activity of DNA polymerase alpha decreasing as a function of age. A positive correlation was observed between polymerase alpha specific activity and the affinity of enzyme binding to activated DNA template-primer. The age-associated decline in enzyme activity was modified by dietary restriction, with measurably higher activity seen for polymerases from dietary restricted animals compared with ad libitum animals of all ages. The data suggest that dietary restriction could act to delay the age-associated decrease in cellular capacity for DNA synthesis, which may play a significant role in prolonging the onset of age-related diseases in which decreased DNA synthesis is a potential component.

Aging↗
PubMed1991

Constancy of central conduction delays during development in man: investigation of motor and somatosensory pathways.

1. A cross-sectional study has been performed on 457 normal subjects to determine changes in conduction delays with age in central and peripheral motor and somatosensory pathways to the upper limb. 2. Electromagnetic stimulation was used to investigate central and peripheral conduction in motor pathways from the cortex to biceps brachii and hypothenar muscles in 308 normal human subjects aged from 32 weeks gestation to 55 years. The responses were recorded in the surface electromyogram. 3. Somatosensory potentials evoked by electrical stimulation of the median nerve have been recorded at Erb's point and over the somatosensory cortex in 149 normal subjects aged from 34 weeks gestation to 52 years to determine central and peripheral somatosensory conduction delays. 4. The conduction delays in the central components of both motor and somatosensory pathways rapidly decrease over the first 2 years after birth and thereafter remain constant at adult values. 5. The conduction delays in the peripheral components of both motor and somatosensory pathways also decrease initially but then from the age of 5 years progressively increase in proportion to arm length. 6. The threshold stimulus intensity for evoking muscle responses following electromagnetic stimulation of the cortex is high initially and falls progressively until the age of 16 years. A linear relationship exists between the threshold intensity and height for the height range 70-180 cm. 7. The threshold stimulus intensities for exciting peripheral motor and somatosensory nerves decrease up to the age of 5 years and then reach a plateau. 8. The results support the conclusion, already reported in the literature that peripheral nerves attain maximum value for fibre diameter and conduction velocity at approximately 5 years of age. 9. In contrast, it is concluded that the maximum fibre diameters in both motor and somatosensory central pathways increase in proportion to height, leading to constant central conduction delays with growth.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Radiation of phasic stretch reflex in biceps brachii to muscles of the arm in man and its restriction during development.

1. The phasic stretch reflex in biceps brachii has been recorded in 372 normal subjects aged from 31 weeks gestation to 55 years. The stimulus used was a brief mechanical pulse delivered by a hand-held electromagnetic vibrator and the response was measured in the surface electromyogram. 2. The threshold for eliciting the reflex was low in the newborn and increased over the first 6 years to values corresponding to those of adults. 3. On the basis of timing it is concluded that the phasic stretch reflex has a monosynaptic component at all ages. 4. The surface electromyogram was also recorded in triceps brachii, pectoralis major, deltoid and hypothenar muscles. In some subjects evoking the phasic stretch reflex in biceps brachii resulted in short latency responses in these muscles, a phenomenon termed radiated response. 5. The probability of occurrence of radiated responses and their magnitudes were greatest at birth and decreased over 2-4 years. 6. Experiments were performed to determine how far mechanical transmission of the stimulus to biceps through the tissues of the arm might account for the radiated responses in the other muscles studied. It was concluded that the responses observed in triceps brachii, pectoralis major, deltoid and hypothenar muscles, following vibration of the biceps tendon, are primarily due to the radiation of the activity carried in biceps muscle afferents to the alpha-motoneurones of the respective muscles. 7. On the basis of timing it is concluded that in subjects below 2 years the radiated responses in the muscles studied have a monosynaptic component.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

mu-receptor mediates elevated glucose and corticosterone after third ventricle injection of opioid peptides.

Four experiments were done to determine which receptor type(s) mediates the effects of third ventricular microinjections of four opioid peptide agonists on blood levels of glucose, free fatty acids, and corticosterone. Tests were performed in unanesthetized adult male albino rats having chronic intraventricular cannulas; blood samples were taken from the tail tip at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min postmicroinjection. In experiment 1, the agonists DAGO (Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-N-methyl-Phe-Gly-ol), beta-endorphin, DSLET (d-Ser2-Leu-enkephalin-Thr), and dynorphin A-(1-17) (0, 0.3, 1, 3, and 10 nmol/rat) produced three distinct patterns of changes in serum glucose, free fatty acid, and corticosterone values. Experiment 2 showed that the effects of DAGO and beta-endorphin were inhibited by prior injection with the opiate-receptor blocker naloxone (1 mg/kg sc) and that the effects of dynorphin were not diminished. Experiment 3 determined that dynorphin effects were also not diminished by naloxone given intraventricularly. Experiment 4 found that blockade of the mu-receptor by intraventricular pretreatment with the specific antagonist beta-funaltrexamine (20 micrograms/rat, 24 h before) completely abolished the effects of DAGO and beta-endorphin on glucose and corticosterone. The mu-receptor is critical to the mediation of the hyperglycemia and hypercorticosteronemia induced by the central administration of opiate agonists. These results imply that mu-opioid binding sites previously identified in central autonomic regions may be involved in the regulation of circulating glucose and corticosterone.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Diet and serum lipids in vegan vegetarians: a model for risk reduction.

The lipid levels and dietary habits of 31 Seventh-Day Adventist vegan vegetarians (aged 5 to 46 years) who consume no animal products were assessed. Mean serum total cholesterol (3.4 mmol/L), low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (1.8 mmol/L), and triglyceride (0.8 mmol/L) levels were lower than expected values derived from the Lipid Research Clinics Population Studies prevalence data. Mean high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (1.3 mmol/L) was comparable to expected values. Analysis of quantitative food frequency data showed that vegans had a significantly lower daily intake of total energy, percentage of energy from fat (31% vs 38%), total fat, saturated fat, monounsaturated fatty acids, cholesterol, and protein and a significantly higher intake of fiber than a sample of matched omnivore controls. Vegans' food intake was also compared with expected values, matched for sex and age, derived from the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals 24-hour recall data. The vegan diet was characterized by increased consumption of almonds, cashews, and their nut butters; dried fruits; citrus fruits; soy milk; and greens. We conclude from the present study that a strict vegan diet, which is typically very low in saturated fat and dietary cholesterol and high in fiber, can help children and adults maintain or achieve desirable blood lipid levels.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Cone electroretinographic change during light adaptation in retinitis pigmentosa.

Cone electroretinograms (ERGs) to 30-Hz full-field white light were recorded after dark adaptation from 33 patients with retinitis pigmentosa and 8 normal subjects over a period averaging 8.5 min. Most patients and all normal subjects showed increases in amplitude that approached or reached maximum by the end of the recording. Regression analyses revealed that patients with smaller baseline amplitudes tended to show larger and faster increases in relative amplitude than patients with larger baseline amplitudes, whose amplitude changes over time were comparable to those seen in normal subjects. These findings suggest that both the magnitude and kinetics of cone ERG amplitude change to a light-adapting, flickering stimulus are related directly to the level of cone malfunction in retinitis pigmentosa.

Adaptation, Physiological↗