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W J Garvis

Publications and source records attributed to W J Garvis.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Determining otitis media severity from middle ear fluid analysis.

Otitis media has a complex multifactorial pathogenesis, and the middle ear inflammatory response is typified by the accumulation of cellular and chemical mediators in middle ear effusion. However, specific biochemical and immunochemical factors that may be responsible for the severity or chronicity of otitis media have not been identified. Identification of factors involved in chronicity appears to be an essential step in the treatment and ultimate prevention of chronic otitis media. We analyzed 70 effusion samples from patients 1 to 10 years of age who had chronic otitis media with effusion for two cytokines (interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha) and total collagenase. The highest concentrations of all three inflammatory mediators were found in purulent otitis media, and concentrations were higher in younger than in older patients. Mediator concentrations were similar in samples obtained from patients having their first myringotomy for otitis media with effusion and in those who had had multiple previous myringotomies. The multiresponse star, which incorporates several biochemical parameters in one graphic illustration, may best characterize the complex nature of middle ear inflammation.

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The levels of IL-1 beta in human middle ear effusions.

Inflammatory mediators retained in middle ear effusion (MEE) during otitis media are important in influencing the clinical outcome of this disease. Interleukins, important immunomodulatory proteins, undoubtedly influence this inflammatory response. In our present study we analyzed 74 human middle ear effusion samples for interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta). Those effusions classified as purulent (POM) contained the highest levels, while those classified as serous (SOM) had the lowest. A statistically significant correlation between age and level of IL-1 beta was observed, namely, the younger group had higher levels of IL-1 beta than the older group in MOM and POM samples. The results of this study show that IL-1 beta is present in human middle ear effusion of otitis media and suggest that IL-1 beta may be an important mediator involved in the disease processes of otitis media.

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Pharmacologic treatment of hyperlipidemia reduces glomerular injury in rat 5/6 nephrectomy model of chronic renal failure.

The role of lipid abnormalities in the pathogenesis of focal glomerulosclerosis was investigated in the rat remnant kidney model of chronic renal failure. Rats subjected to right nephrectomy and two-thirds segmental infarction of the left kidney (5/6 nephrectomy) were treated for 10 weeks with the lipid-lowering agent clofibric acid. Both serum cholesterol and urine albumin excretion were significantly reduced by clofibric acid. At 10 weeks, the percent of glomeruli with focal glomerulosclerosis was 5 +/- 2% in clofibric acid-treated and 24 +/- 5% in untreated 5/6 nephrectomy rats (p less than 0.01). Inulin clearance was greater in clofibric acid-treated than in untreated 5/6 nephrectomy rats (0.28 +/- 0.02 versus 0.22 +/- 0.02 ml/min 100 g body wt, p less than 0.05). Body weight, kidney weight, and systemic blood pressure were not significantly altered by clofibric acid. Micropuncture studies, performed in separate groups of clofibric acid-treated and untreated 5/6 nephrectomy rats, demonstrated elevated single nephron glomerular filtration rates and glomerular capillary pressures 4 weeks after surgery. However, clofibric acid did not significantly alter single nephron glomerular filtration rates (95 +/- 2.1 nl/min in treated versus 97.0 +/- 6.2 nl/min in untreated, p greater than 0.05) or glomerular capillary pressures (56.6 +/- 1.5 mm Hg in treated versus 57.8 +/- 0.8 mm Hg in untreated, p greater than 0.05) in 5/6 nephrectomy rats. In a separate set of experiments, 5/6 nephrectomy rats were treated with the specific cholesterol synthesis inhibitor, mevinolin. Mevinolin improved serum lipid levels and reduced albuminuria in 5/6 nephrectomy rats without causing significant alterations in blood pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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