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Biomedical subjects

W J Dodds

Publications and source records attributed to W J Dodds.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Non-thrombogenicity of clean glass revealed by native whole blood assay in bead columns.

The previously described native whole blood assay for materials in solution or suspension has been adapted to materials in a bead column configuration. These experiments showed that the glass itself accounts for little or none of the high blood-reactivity observed with conventional glass bead columns. Columns composed solely of soft glass that was "cleaned" by heat treatment (500-595 degrees C 18 hr, electric oven) were benign toward flowing native whole blood for all variables measured (platelet count and platelet-free plasma [C14]-serotonin content, platelet factor 3 and factor XII activities, and recalcification time) with the standard contact protocol. In addition, the effluent successfully maintained perfusion of the isolated kidney, a measure of the ability of platelets to support vascular integrity. Prolonged (30 min) normothermic contact with citrated whole blood increased the subsequent reactivity of initially clean glass toward whole blood albeit to a level much less than that of conventional glass bead columns.

Animals↗

Cause-and-effect relationship between motilin and migrating myoelectric complexes.

We investigated the cause-and-effect relationship between plasma motilin levels and migrating myoelectric complexes (MMCs). Each dog was implanted with a set of eight bipolar electrodes on the small intestine. Premature phase IIIs were initiated by morphine bolus injections. Plasma samples were assayed for motilin and gastrin. All spontaneous and morphine-initiated phase IIIs were associated with peaks of plasma motilin, which always occurred after phase IIIs had started in the proximal duodenum. The plasma motilin level decreased consistently during phase I and started to increase again only after phase II had started in the duodenum. Either a meal or somatostatin infusion disrupted MMC cycling, but morphine boluses overcame this disruption and initiated phase IIIs that propagated distally. The phase IIIs thus initiated were associated with peaks in plasma motilin levels. In contrast, bolus injections of motilin did not initiate phase IIIs during the fed state or during somatostatin infusion. Our findings suggest that endogenous motilin does not initiate spontaneous MMCs. Instead, MMC contractions release motilin. The physiological role of motilin, thus released, may be to act as an endocrine agent to coordinate secretory and motor events with the start of phase III activity in the upper small intestine.

Animals↗

Effect of motilin on the opossum upper gastrointestinal tract and sphincter of Oddi.

We studied the effect of motilin on myoelectric activity of the sphincter of Oddi (SO) and upper gastrointestinal tract in conscious opposums. In 17 animals, bipolar electrodes were implanted on the gastric antrum, SO, duodenum, and jejunum. Subsequent 8-h recordings reconfirmed our previous findings that SO spike burst rate changed with interdigestive cycles of the gastrointestinal migrating myoelectric complex (MMC), becoming maximal during passage of phase III activity through the duodenum. In eight animals, peak motilin levels were shown to occur concurrently with maximal SO spike burst rate and MMC phase III activity in the duodenum. Motilin infusion (0.3 and 0.9 micrograms X kg-1 X h-1), given for 30-60 min starting 10 min after duodenal phase III, elicited premature MMC activity that originated in the stomach. Maximal SO activity occurred coincident with passage of premature phase III activity through the duodenum. Pulse intravenous doses of motilin (25-1,600 ng/kg) generally caused an immediate increase in spike burst activity in the gastric antrum, duodenum, and SO that lasted 3-5 min and was often followed by a premature MMC, usually starting in the antrum and progressing through the duodenum and jejunum. Increases in SO spike burst rate also occurred concurrent with motilin-induced, premature duodenal phase III. Motilin given at 5-60% of the duodenal MMC cycle length elicited premature MMCs at 10-60% of the cycle, but no premature MMCs were elicited by any of the motilin doses at the 5% intervals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ampulla of Vater↗

Motor function of the opossum sphincter of Oddi.

We studied the opossum sphincter of Oddi (SO) because in this species the SO is approximately 3 cm in length and its extraduodenal location permits recording of motor activity with negligible interference from duodenal motor activity. The SO segment of 120 animals was evaluated by one or more of the following: (a) intraluminal manometry; (b) electromyography; (c) common bile duct (CBD) flow monitored by a drop counter; (d) cineradiography of intraductal contrast medium; and (e) histologic examination. SO pull-throughs using an infused catheter of 0.6-mm o.d. invariably showed a high pressure zone (HPZ) of 18 +/- 3 SE mm Hg in the terminal 4-5 mm of the SO segment. This HPZ had a narrow lumen, 0.5-0.7 mm in diam, and prominent circular muscle. The HPZ in the terminal SO had both active and passive components. HPZ with minimal amplitude and a paucity of underlying smooth muscle were present inconstantly at the junction of the SO segment with the CBD and pancreatic duct, respectively. The dominant feature of the SO segment was rhythmic peristaltic contractions that originated in the proximal SO and propagated toward the duodenum. These contractions occurred spontaneously at a rate of 2-8/min, ranged up to 200 mm Hg in magnitude, had a duration of approximately 5 s and were not abolished by tetrodotoxin. Concurrent myoelectric and manometric recordings showed that each phasic contraction was immediately preceded by an electrical spike burst. Simultaneous recordings of cineradiography, CBD inflow of contrast medium, SO manometry, and SO electromyography indicated that rhythmic peristaltic contractions stripped contrast medium from the SO into the duodenum. During SO systole, CBD emptying was transiently interrupted, whereas SO filling occurred during the diastolic interval between SO peristaltic contractions. SO distention increased the frequency of SO peristalsis. We conclude that (a) the dominant feature of the opossum SO is rhythmic peristaltic contractions that originate in the proximal SO and propagate toward the duodenum; (b) these forceful SO peristaltic contractions are myogenic in origin and serve as a peristaltic pump that actively empties the SO segment; (c) CBD outflow occurs passively during SO diastole, but is interrupted transiently during each SO peristaltic contraction; and (d) a short HPZ with active as well as passive components exists in the distal SO segment and acts as a variable resistor to SO outflow.

Ampulla of Vater↗

Effect of enteric hormones on sphincter of Oddi and gastrointestinal myoelectric activity in fasted conscious opossums.

In this study we evaluated the effect of enteric hormones on sphincter of Oddi and gastrointestinal spike burst frequency in fasted conscious opossums. A chronic model for obtaining multiple long-term recording of sphincter of Oddi and gastrointestinal myoelectric activity was prepared in 12 animals by implanting bipolar electrodes in the gastric antrum, duodenum, sphincter of Oddi, jejunum, and ileum. Subsequently, 8-18 recording session, 6-8 h in length, were obtained in each animal. Each study was preceded by a 15-h fast. After recording two cycles of the interdigestive migratory myoelectric complex, a 60-min infusion of saline, cholecystokinin-octapeptide, pentagastrin, glucagon, or secretin was begun early in the quiescent period of duodenal activity, 10 min after termination of phase 3 of the migratory myoelectric complex activity. Cholecystokinin-octapeptide (10-80 ng/kg . min) and pentagastrin (25-200 ng/kg . min) increased sphincter of Oddi spike burst frequency while converting interdigestive gastrointestinal myoelectric activity to a fed-like pattern of continuous, irregular spike bursts. Glucagon at high doses of 500 and 1000 ng/kg . min depressed sphincter of Oddi and gastrointestinal spike burst activity, whereas lower doses of glucagon and secretin (3-12 CU/kg . h) had no effect. We conclude that in the opossum, relatively low doses of cholecystokinin-octapeptide and pentagastrin stimulate sphincter of Oddi and gastrointestinal spike burst activity while disrupting the cyclic pattern of sphincter of Oddi and gastrointestinal spike burst activity present during fasting. The physiological significance of these findings remains to be determined.

Action Potentials↗

Efficiency and precision of electroimmunoassay for canine factor VIII-related antigen.

Factors that improved the efficiency, precision, and sensitivity of the electroimmunoassay for canine factor VIII-related antigen were investigated. These included rapid electrophoresis, increased rocket heights, deletion of the gel-washing step, and doubling of the sample capacity per plate. The modified assay was reliable and accurate, could be completed within 3 hours, and permitted twice as many determinations. Other experimental variables that affected the assay were the type of agarose and sample diluent, storage conditions of samples before assay, source of antibody, and use of 2 mM calcium lactate.

Animals↗

Plasma coagulation factor abnormalities in dogs with naturally occurring hepatic disease.

The plasma values for factors (F)VII, FVIII:C, FVIIIR:Ag, FIX, FX, and FXI and the thrombin clotting time (TCT) were determined for 28 dogs with naturally occurring hepatic disease. The major morphologic type of hepatic disease present in a given dog, as determined by hepatic biopsy and histopathologic examination, was degeneration (12 dogs), inflammation (9 dogs), cirrhosis (3 dogs), or neoplasia (4 dogs). A specific morphologic diagnosis also was made for each dog in the study. Plasma coagulation factor values and screening tests were consistently abnormal in greater than 50% of the dogs with each type of hepatic disease as follows: degeneration--decreased FXI; inflammation--increased FVIIIR:Ag; cirrhosis--shortened TCT, decreased FIX, FX, and FXI, and increased FVIIIR:Ag; and neoplasia--shortened TCT, decreased FVIII:C, and increased FVIIIR:Ag. The plasma coagulation factor values were compared with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, fibrinogen-fibrin degradation product (FDP) concentration, and the prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) to determine the sensitivity and specificity of each test in detection of hepatic disease. Of all dogs with hepatic disease, 93% had at least 1 abnormal coagulation test value. The PT and APTT were abnormal in 50% and 75%, respectively, of these same dogs. Increased serum ALT and ALP activities were present in 61% and 50%, respectively, and FDP concentrations were increased in 14% of dogs with hepatic disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alanine Transaminase↗

Interdigestive phasic contractions of the human lower esophageal sphincter.

The results of this study show that lower esophageal sphincter contractions occur during phases 2 and 3 of the gastric interdigestive migratory motor complex in humans. In one series of studies, esophageal, gastric, and duodenal pressures were monitored overnight for 12 h in 7 healthy, fasting subjects. A second group of 10 volunteers was studied for 12 h on two consecutive nights. Periods of gastric contraction that reached a maximum frequency of about 3/min were shown to be part of the migratory motor complex cycle because they occurred immediately before phase 3 migratory motor complex activity in the duodenum. In all subjects, gastric interdigestive contractions were accompanied by lower esophageal sphincter contractions that maintained a pressure barrier between the stomach and esophageal body. During late phase 2 and phase 3 gastric migratory motor complex activity, the lower esophageal sphincter contractions were especially vigorous. Mean basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure varied significantly during the interdigestive cycle. Lower esophageal sphincter pressure values were maximal during phase 3 of gastric migratory motor complex activity and minimal values occurred during phase 1. No episodes of gastroesophageal reflux occurred as a result of increase of intragastric pressure caused by interdigestive gastric contractions.

Adult↗

Determinants of esophageal acid clearance in normal subjects.

In this study, we evaluated factors that affect esophageal acid clearance in normal subjects. A 15-ml bolus of 0.1 N HCl (pH 1.2) was injected into the esophagus, and the subject then swallowed every 30 s. Manometric and pH monitoring demonstrated that esophageal acid clearance occurred by a series of step increases in pH, each associated with a swallow-induced peristaltic sequence. Between peristaltic sequences, pH increase was minimal. Saliva stimulation by oral lozenge greatly improved acid clearance, while oral aspiration of saliva abolished the step increases in esophageal pH and markedly delayed acid clearance. Replacement of aspirated saliva with a bicarbonate solution reproduced the step increases in esophageal pH and restored acid clearance toward normal, while replacement with water alone failed to improve acid clearance. Similar to the effect of the oral lozenge, bethanechol (5 mg subcutaneously) improved esophageal acid clearance, but this improvement was reversed by oral aspiration of saliva, which markedly delayed acid clearance. A change from the recumbent to the sitting position tended to improve acid clearance slightly, but this improvement was not statistically significant. We concluded that in normal subjects (a) swallowing carries saliva into the esophagus and peristalsis empties intraesophageal fluid into the stomach, (b) the neutralization of acid by saliva carried into the esophagus with each swallow accounts for the occurrence of acid clearance by step increases in pH, (c) the improvement in acid clearance with bethanechol is due to saliva stimulation, and (d) gravity contributes little to esophageal acid clearance in the presence of normal peristaltic stripping waves.

Adult↗

Mechanisms of gastroesophageal reflux in patients with reflux esophagitis.

We evaluated the mechanisms of gastroesophageal reflux in 10 patients with reflux esophagitis and compared the results with findings from 10 controls. The patients had more episodes of reflux (35 +/- 15 in 12 hours, as compared with 9 +/- 8 in the controls) and a lower pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (13 +/- 8 mm Hg as compared with 29 +/- 9 in the controls) (P less than 0.001). Reflux occurred by three different mechanisms: transient complete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, a transient increase in intra-abdominal pressure, or spontaneous free reflux associated with a low resting pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter. In controls 94 per cent of reflux episodes were caused by transient sphincter sphincter relaxation. In the patients 65 per cent of episodes of reflux accompanied transient sphincter relaxation, 17 per cent accompanied a transient increase in intra-abdominal pressure, and 18 per cent occurred as spontaneous free reflux. The predominant reflux mechanism in individual patients varied: some had normal resting sphincter pressure and reflux that occurred primarily during transient sphincter relaxation, whereas others with low resting sphincter pressures had spontaneous free reflux or reflux that occurred during an increase in intra-abdominal pressure.

Adult↗