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Biomedical subjects

T M Wheeler

Publications and source records attributed to T M Wheeler.

135 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Lack of correlation of a histochemical method for estrogen receptors analysis with the biochemical assay results.

Forty-nine specimens of carcinoma of the breast were analyzed for estrogen receptor content using the sucrose gradient method and a histochemical method using a conjugate of estradiol (6-BSA-Fluor-CMO-17 beta-estradiol). The specimens analyzed by the histochemical method were graded for fluorescent intensity, percentage of cells fluorescing, and cellularity. Only 53.1% (26/49) of the specimens were classified into the same three categories (positive, negative and ambiguous) as classified by the biochemical assay. If the negative and ambiguous categories were combined, the degree of correspondence rose to only 63.3% (31/49). Because the classification scheme was arbitrary and because the results of the biochemical assay might be correlated with one or more factors, univariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine the data for any underlying relationships. Only the age of the patient was significantly correlated with the results of the biochemical assay. Importantly, neither the percentage of cells fluorescing nor the fluorescent intensity was correlated with the results of the biochemical assay. Terms to account for various interactions of parameters did not enhance the association with the biochemical results. While this histochemical assay may eventually prove to be effective in selecting patients for endocrine therapy, it does not seem to be a substitute for the standard biochemical assay for estrogen receptors presently used.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Granulomatous infections complicating hairy cell leukemia.

Of 14 patients with hairy cell leukemia (HCL), four developed opportunistic granulomatous infections: blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis and two Mycobacterium kansasii. The former two pathogens have not been reported with HCL, while M. kansasii infections appear to be common. While most reviews stress susceptibility to pyogenic bacteria and the predisposing role of iatrogenic factors, three of our patients were infected prior to any therapy. Thus, disease-related factors predispose to these granulomatous infections. Granulocytopenia and monocytopenia were present; the latter was not often corrected by splenectomy. There was impaired granuloma formation, with all infectious lesions appearing histologically as focal microabscesses containing few macrophages. Awareness of the frequency of opportunistic intracellular infections with early consideration of invasive diagnostic procedures to establish specific etiologic diagnosis may greatly prolong survival for many HCL patients.

Agranulocytosis↗
PubMed1982

Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with hypogammaglobulinemia. Possible role of monocyte suppression.

A patient wit angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy had low serum immunoglobulin values and no antibodies to injected immunogens. This occurred despite the proliferation of polyclonal B cells. T cells were deficient in number and in lymphoproliferative responses, but their helper and suppressor functions were maintained. Ia-antigen bearing leukocytes from the patient stimulated poorly in mixed leukocyte culture. In vitro immunoglobulin synthesis by mononuclear leukocytes form the patient was severely impaired. These leukocytes actively suppressed immunoglobulin synthesis by normal cells from healthy subjects in co-culture. The responsible cell had characteristics of a monocyte. The suppression was selective for humoral immunity and was manifest despite normal numbers of monocytes. It appears that heterogeneous immunoregulatory abnormalities can underlie the syndrome of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy. Furthermore, monocyte suppressor abnormalities may be implicated in clinical disease phenomena.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

Miotics: side effects and ways to avoid them.

Pilocarpine, a parasympathomimetic drug used in the treatment of glaucoma, produces a variety of ocular and systemic adverse reactions. Ocular side effects include miosis, accommodative spasm, frontal headaches, twitching lids, conjunctival injection, cataractous changes, allergic reactions, iris cysts, retinal detachment, increased permeability of the blood-aqueous barrier, anterior chamber narrowing, and the potential for inducing an acute angle-closure attack. Systemic side effects include nausea, vomiting, tenesmus, abdominal spasm, salivation, lacrimation, sweating, pulmonary edema, and bronchial spasm. The systemic side effects can best be minimized initially through proper use of the medication and nasolacrimal occlusion. The Ocusert, a long-acting pilocarpine-incorporated ocular insert, is a recent advance in delivery technique that offers an adequate hypotensive action with fewer side effects. Pilopex is a promising new experimental pilocarpine polymer salt presently being studied in Israel. Photomydriasis, a process involving the use of a laser to enlarge miotic pupils also offers help for these patients. N-demethylated carbachol is a new parasympathomimetic drug currently under study for glaucoma therapy. Initial results show that it may have considerable ocular hypotensive action with fewer adverse effects.

Carbachol↗
PubMed1980

Myospherulosis: a preventable iatrogenic nasal and paranasal entity.

We discuss a disorder that, although at first considered of possible fungal origin, now is known to be due to an alteration of erythrocytes induced by petrolatum-based antibiotic ointment. In this country, the structures of myospherulosis have been seen most often in tissues from the nose and paranasal sinuses following surgery in this region. Our studies show that both components of the vehicle of a commonly used tetracycline antibiotic ointment, lanolin and petrolatum, either separately or together, produce the structures of myospherulosis in vitro. It is recommended that a nonpetrolatum-based substance be used in nasal packing for purposes of hemostasis.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Myospherulosis--further observations.

Myospherulosis has recently been shown to be composed of altered erythrocytes. Mysopherules have been produced in vivo and in vitro using a petrolatum-based tetracycline antibiotic ointment (Achromycin). In the reported study, myospherules were produced in vitro using either lanolin or petrolatum, the two components of the vehicle of this ointment. Additionally, human fat produced myospherules in vitro.

Erythrocytes, Abnormal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Alterations in lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase-2 catalytic activity and mRNA expression in prostate carcinoma.

Recent studies in prostate tissues and especially cell lines have suggested roles for arachidonic acid (AA) metabolizing enzymes in prostate adenocarcinoma (Pca) development or progression. The goal of this study was to more fully characterize lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression and AA metabolism in benign and malignant prostate using snap-frozen tissues obtained intraoperatively and mRNA analyses and enzyme assays. Formation of 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) was detected in 23/29 benign samples and 15-LOX-2 mRNA was detected in 21/25 benign samples. In pairs of pure benign and Pca from the same patients, 15-HETE production and 15-LOX-2 mRNA were reduced in Pca versus benign in 9/14 (P=.04) and 14/17 (P=.002), respectively. Under the same conditions, neither 5-HETE nor 12-HETE formation was detectable in 29 benign and 24 tumor samples; with a more sensitive assay, traces were detected in some samples, but there was no clear association with tumor tissue. COX-2 mRNA was detected by nuclease protection assay in 7/16 benign samples and 5/16 tumors. In benign and tumor pairs from 10 patients, COX-2 was higher in tumor versus benign in only 2, with similar results by in situ hybridization. Paraffin immunoperoxidase for COX-2 was performed in whole mount sections from 87 additional radical prostatectomy specimens, with strong expression in ejaculatory duct as a positive control and corroboration with in situ hybridization. No immunostaining was detected in benign prostate or tumor in 45% of cases. Greater immunostaining in tumor versus benign was present in only 17% of cases, and correlated with high tumor grade (Gleason score 8 and 9 vs. 5 to 7). In conclusion, reduced 15-LOX-2 expression and 15-HETE formation is the most characteristic alteration of AA metabolism in Pca. Increased 12-HETE and 5-HETE formation in Pca were not discernible. Increased COX-2 expression is not a typical abnormality in Pca in general, but occurs in high-grade tumors.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The sensitivity of detection of asbestos bodies in sputa and bronchial washings.

While asbestos bodies (ABs) in sputum and/or bronchial washings are highly specific markers for significant asbestos exposure, comparison of the sensitivity between sputum cytology and bronchial washing cytology for the detection of ABs had not been documented. Review of the files of the Cytopathology Laboratory, Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, for the period 1973 to 1984 identified 11 patients with slides available for review who (1) had been examined by both sputum cytology and bronchial washing cytology and (2) had at least one specimen positive for ABs. Of the 11 evaluable cases, all had ABs in the bronchial washings but ony 6 had ABs in the sputum. In addition, iron stain (e.g., the Prussian blue stain) was found to be more sensitive than the Papanicolaou stain for the detection of ABs in these cases. These findings indicate that iron-stained bronchial washing specimens should be preferred for the cytologic detection of asbestos exposure.

Aged↗