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Biomedical subjects

W Thompson

Publications and source records attributed to W Thompson.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Role of endotoxin in alterations of hepatic drug metabolism by diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine adsorbed.

Administration of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine adsorbed (DTP vaccine) or endotoxin (LPS) resulted in marked alterations in hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes in endotoxin-responsive (R) and non-endotoxin-responsive (NR) mice. A single human dose (0.5 ml) of DTP vaccine increased hexobarbital-induced sleep times to 1.6- to 1.8-fold above those of controls in both strains of mice. This effect persisted for 7 days. In contrast, Bordetella pertussis LPS-treated mice showed an increase at 1 day (3.0-fold for R mice and 1.5-fold for NR mice), which returned to control levels by day 7. Furthermore, cytochrome P-450 levels were decreased 30 to 40% 24 h after DTP vaccine administration in both R and NR mice, while after LPS administration they were decreased 30% in R mice and less than 10% in NR mice. Both spleen and liver weights of R and NR mice were increased 7 to 14 days following DTP vaccine administration. However, LPS treatment had no apparent effect on liver weights, and spleen weights of R mice were elevated from days 3 to 7. Histopathologic tissue examination showed random, multifocal inflammation with hepatocyte necrosis after DTP vaccine administration to both R and NR mice and an absence of lesions in LPS-treated mice. Premixing LPS with polymyxin eliminated the increased sleep times, but premixing DTP vaccine with polymyxin did not affect the increased sleep times. Levels of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 in plasma of R mice were markedly increased after DTP and LPS treatment, while NR mice had reduced increases. These results suggest that LPS contributes to the alterations in R and NR mice seen within the first 24 h of vaccine administration but that it is not likely to contribute to the effects observed at later time points.

Animals↗

Vasopressor therapy for hypotension during epidural anesthesia for cesarean section: effects on maternal and fetal flow velocity ratios.

The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of hypotension as a result of epidural anesthesia and of its treatment with either ephedrine or methoxamine on uteroplacental and umbilical flow velocity ratios and fetal acid-base status. Fifty healthy women with an uncomplicated full-term pregnancy were studied during elective cesarean section under epidural anesthesia. A method of continuously recording flow velocity waveforms was used that allowed the identification of simultaneous values of maternal and fetal Doppler indices related to events during the induction of anesthesia. In 15 patients in whom arterial blood pressure did not decrease, the uteroplacental pulsatility index (UtPI) did not change, but the umbilical pulsatility index (UmPI) decreased from a mean (95% confidence interval) of 0.98 (0.88-1.09) to 0.91 (0.82-0.99) (P less than 0.05). In 32 patients who experienced hypotension of at least 15%, the UtPI increased from 0.82 (0.76-0.89) to 1.04 (0.92-1.17) (P less than 0.01). Treatment with ephedrine had no influence on either the UtPI or UmPI, but treatment with methoxamine resulted in brief increases in the UtPI of 0.47 (0.24-0.69) during the first 5 min after its administration; the increases were brief and resolved within 2 min. The choice of vasopressor drug had no influence on the UtPI recorded just before surgery commenced (final UtPI), but those patients who experienced hypotension had significantly larger final UtPIs (1.02 (0.91-1.10)) than those who never became hypotensive (0.86 (0.72-0.99)), and this was associated with significantly increased placental hydrogen ion gradients. The choice of vasopressor drug appears to be of minor importance compared with the avoidance of hypotension.

Adult↗

Glycero-3-phosphate is a precursor of glucose but not of glycero-3-phosphocholine in rat liver.

The previous claims by others of a novel choline transfer reaction involving CDP-choline and leading to the conversion of [U-14C]glycero-3-phosphate to glycero-3-phosphocholine in liver sub-cellular fractions could not be confirmed. Apparent labelling of glycero-3-phosphocholine, isolated by paper chromatography, was, in fact, explained by contamination by other radioactive metabolites, especially D-glucose. A synergistic effect on gluconeogenesis from [U-14C]glycero-3-phosphate was obtained by incubating well-washed mitochondria with washed microsomes.

Animals↗

Rat liver and lung mitochondria do not incorporate radioactivity from glycerol-3-phosphate or CDP-choline into glycero-3-phosphocholine.

The proposed formation of glycero-3-phosphocholine (GPC) from glycerol-3-phosphate (GP) and CDP-choline catalysed by the enzyme GPC-synthetase has been examined in liver and lung subcellular fractions. Previous observations on the incorporation of radioactive GP into the GPC-spot on paper chromatograms have been interpreted as evidence for the GPC-dependent synthesis of phosphatidylcholine. Although we could reproduce this incorporation of GP, we could not detect any incorporation of radioactive CDP-choline into the GPC-spot using the same paper chromatographic system. TLC separation of the substrate and products showed no detectable formation of GPC with either radioactive substrate. These results strongly suggest that the previously reported formation of GPC in liver and lung was due to an inaccurate identification of the true radioactive products. We demonstrate that the major radioactive product formed in liver mitochondria is glucose. A small amount of radioactive glycerol was also detected. Lung mitochondria incorporate radioactive GP into glycerol and into another unidentified compound or compounds. It is concluded that the occurrence of the GPC dependent formation of phosphatidylcholine is unlikely.

Animals↗

Vaccine-induced alterations in hepatic drug metabolism.

Administration of Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed (DTP) vaccine to mice causes dose- and time-dependent alterations in hepatic drug metabolism as determined by hexobarbital-induced sleep time and several direct measurements of soluble and microsomal enzyme activities. Vaccines containing only tetanus and/or diphtheria toxoids did not alter hepatic drug metabolism, implicating the pertussis component as the cause of the observed changes. Other pyrogenic whole cell vaccines such as typhoid and cholera also had no effect on drug metabolizing capacity. However, polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C), a compound thought to exert its effects through the induction of interferon, induced changes comparable to those seen with DTP vaccine. The similarities in the effects following administration of DTP vaccine and poly I:C suggest that vaccine-induced alterations of drug metabolism may be mediated by immunomodulatory agents such as interferons and interleukins. Studies with purified cytokines are planned to address this question.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Are CT scans for head injury patients always necessary?

The study reported here sought to identify a group of adult head injury patients in whom computerized axial tomographic (CT) scans were not necessary. The study was limited to patients 18 years of age and older with a history of minor head injury who remained neurologically stable for 20 minutes after arrival at the trauma center, maintained a Glasgow Coma Scale score of at least 13, and had no clinical evidence of basal skull fracture. These patients had a uniformly good neurologic prognosis. The CT scan did not have any prognostic or therapeutic implications. Of a total of 348 patients studied, 12 had an abnormal CT scan with no neurologic deficits or sequelae, and all of them had an uneventful hospital discharge without readmission. It appears that a routine CT scan for minimal head injury patients is an inefficient use of personnel and equipment which may add to the ever increasing financial burden on trauma centers.

Adolescent↗

Evidence of Chlamydia infection in a Belfast antenatal population.

Chlamydia trachomatis is an important cause of postpartum endometritis and neonatal conjunctivitis. However, the prevalence of chlamydial genital infection varies considerably from one population group to another. A study was thus conducted to determine the incidence of C trachomatis infection of the cervix in an unselected group of women attending a Belfast antenatal clinic. One hundred and six patients were screened for evidence of current cervical infection with C trachomatis or serological evidence of past infection. C trachomatis was identified in 2.9%, and there was evidence of past infection in 18.9%. No significant risk factors were identified from gynaecological, contraceptive or sexual histories. C trachomatis infection was treated with erythromycin and there were no perinatal complications ascribed to chlamydia.

Adult↗

Radiation therapy to prevent heterotopic ossification after cementless total hip arthroplasty.

Clinical and roentgenographic observations on a postoperative low-dose radiation of 1000 cGy for prevention of heterotopic ossification in high-risk patients after 48 noncemented total hip arthroplasties demonstrated no overall statistical difference in the Harris hip scores between the treated group (92.2) and the control group (91.0). There was no difference in the incidence of radiolucent lines about the components, and there were no revisions for aseptic loosening in the treated group. The incidence of clinically significant (Brooker Grades III and IV) heterotopic bone formation was lower in the treated group (7%) than in the control group (32%). This difference in the incidence of heterotopic bone formation was statistically significant. Radiation therapy was effective in preventing postoperative heterotopic bone formation in biologically fixed total hip implants.

Adult↗

A novel succinyl dipeptide stimulates directed cell migration by modulating protein kinase C activity.

In determining the mechanism of the chemokinetic action of the thiol protease inhibitor, E-64, in endothelial cell monolayers subjected to wounding, we synthesized succinyl-leucyl-agmatine (SLA), an analogue of E-64 that lacked the epoxy group and protease inhibitory effect. We observed that this analogue retained its chemokinetic effect on wounded endothelial cells. Its stimulatory action on endothelial cell polarization response to wounding was rapid and associated with directed cell migration. Furthermore, its effect on cellular polarization was blocked by protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors and mimicked by pharmacologic agents that stimulated PKC activity. To determine if SLA's chemokinetic action was mediated by protein kinase C activation, we compared the effects of SLA and the tumor promoter phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) on the translocation of PKC activity in endothelial cells. We observed that both SLA and PMA induced the translocation of PKC activity from the cytosolic to the particulate fraction of the cells. We also observed that both SLA and PMA induced the phosphorylation of two proteins (Mr 23.4 and 36.5 kDa) in intact 32P-labeled cells. Thus, SLA stimulates the endothelial cell locomotor response to wounding by stimulating PKC activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Treatment of clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovarian syndrome with pure follicle-stimulating hormone or human menopausal gonadotropin.

Two hundred ten treatment cycles of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) were completed in 49 patients with clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovarian syndrome. The results from 68 cycles of daily intramuscular (IM) FSH and 41 cycles of IM hMG were compared. The ovulation rate, maximum serum estradiol (E2) levels achieved, and pregnancy rate were similar in both groups, but FSH resulted in significantly fewer follicles developing and hyperstimulation. The 68 cycles of daily IM FSH were further compared with the outcome of administering the FSH as an alternate-day IM injection in 70 cycles, and by subcutaneous pulsatile injection in 31 cycles. There were no differences in any of the parameters measured between daily and alternate-day FSH. Pulsatile FSH required a greater total dose over a longer period of time to achieve stimulation. It also produced fewer follicles, a lower maximum serum E2 level, and the lowest incidence of hyperstimulation. Twenty pregnancies resulted, of which 6 aborted in the first trimester; there was 1 set of twins and 13 singleton pregnancies. The cumulative pregnancy rate after 6 treatment cycles was 62%.

Clomiphene↗

Toxicity of cleaning agents for removal of grease from wounds.

Industrial injuries are often open wounds contaminated with grease. Commercial compounds used for removing grease from intact skin are composed of petroleum distillates. These products are occasionally used to remove grease from open wounds. Using an animal model, this study examines the use of commercial compounds in open wounds in comparison with mild detergent and water. A clear correlation is established between their use and adverse tissue reaction. The use of soap and water as opposed to petroleum-based compounds is recommended for removal of grease from a wound.

Animals↗

Acute effect of experimental truncal vagotomy on serum gastrin concentrations.

We studied the acute effect of transthoracic truncal vagotomy or sham vagotomy (control) on fasting serum gastrin concentrations in 22 gastric fistula dogs. A significant (p less than 0.05) decrease in serum gastrin concentration was detectable within 2.5 minutes after truncal vagotomy, and by 120 minutes serum gastrin has decreased to 15 +/- 1 pg/mL in the vagotomy group compared to 28 +/- 3 pg/mL in the control group (p less than 0.001). However by 24 hours after vagotomy, when maximal acid output was reduced by approximately 50%, fasting serum gastrin had increased nearly twofold above control levels in the vagotomy group (p = 0.06) and this increase persisted at day 7 (p less than 0.05). Thus truncal vagotomy had a biphasic effect on serum gastrin concentrations in dogs (acute inhibition followed by stimulation). While the mechanism for the acute fall in gastrin is probably an acute denervation of postganglionic neurons that innervate gastrin cells, the mechanism for the subsequent rise in serum gastrin remains uncertain.

Animals↗

Short term outcome in babies refused perinatal intensive care.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the mortality in babies refused admission to a regional perinatal centre with that in babies accepted for intensive care in the centre. DESIGN: Retrospective study with group comparison. SETTING: Based at the Royal Maternity Hospital, Belfast, with follow up of patients in all obstetric units in Northern Ireland. PATIENTS: Requests for transfer of 675 babies to the regional perinatal centre (prenatally and postnatally) were made from hospitals in Northern Ireland between January 1984 and December 1986. In all, 343 babies were refused admission to the centre, and complete data were available for 332 of them. These babies were either admitted to other neonatal intensive care units (261 babies) or remained in hospitals with only special care cots (71 babies). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Short term mortality. RESULTS: Seventy of the 332 babies refused admission to the centre died compared with 51 of the 333 who were admitted. Multivariate analysis based on a logistic model showed a non-significant increase in mortality among babies treated in other intensive care units compared with babies treated in the centre (relative odds 1.2; 95% confidence interval 0.7 to 1.9). The increase in mortality in babies who remained in a special care baby unit, however, was significant (3.5; 1.7 to 7.0). This increase was particularly significant in babies born at less than or equal to 32 weeks' gestation and who weighed less than 1500 g (8.4; 2.5 to 28.1). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study confirm the benefits of neonatal intensive care and its particular value in improving survival in babies of low birth weight. As the babies were refused admission to the regional perinatal centre because intensive care cots were not available this deficiency should be corrected.

Gestational Age↗

An investigation of circulating and in situ lymphocyte subsets and Langerhans cells in the skin and cervix of patients with chronic renal failure.

This study was designed to detect possible changes in the immunocytology of the human immune system in the skin, cervix and peripheral blood of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) treated by conservative methods, haemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). In the skin, Langerhans cell numbers were reduced in CRF, CAPD and HD patients but in the cervix, Langerhans cells were reduced only in the CRF patients. There was a preponderance of T suppressor lymphocytes compared with T helper lymphocytes in the epidermis in the CRF and the CAPD groups. The presence of natural killer cells in the epidermis of the renal groups compared to controls was significant in the CRF and HD patients while the presence of T suppressor lymphocytes in the epidermis compared to controls was significant only in the CAPD patients. In the dermis, there was a mixed cellular infiltrate of T helper and T suppressor lymphocytes but with no subset attaining significance. The dermal infiltrate of T helper lymphocytes in all three groups of renal patients was significantly reduced compared to controls. In CRF patients, peripheral blood pan T cells, T helper and T suppressor lymphocytes and B lymphocytes were reduced, while T suppressor lymphocytes were reduced in both HD and CAPD patients, compared to controls. Though the results confirm alteration of the immunocytology of the skin, cervix and peripheral blood, we could not relate them to a clinical finding.

Adult↗

RFLP-based genetic map of Phanerochaete chrysosporium ME446: lignin peroxidase genes occur in clusters.

We describe the construction of an RFLP-based genetic map of the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium ME446. The map is deduced from the allele distributions of 38 RFLP markers in a test set of 53 meiotically derived haploid recombinants of this strain. The map includes a cellulase gene, a matingtype locus and a family of lignin peroxidase (and related) genes that are arranged in two unlinked clusters.

Alleles↗

Genetic factors influencing lignin peroxidase activity in Phanerochaete chrysosporium ME446.

Haploid recombinant progeny of Phanerochaete chrysosporium ME446, genome compositions of which had been defined by RFLP-mapping, vary in their idiophasic behaviour. This allowed us to formulate a model of the sequence of idiophasic activities. One component of this variation, the amount of lignin peroxidase activity, is independent of the allele distributions of the lignin peroxidase gene clusters, but correlates with the allele distribution of another locus. This locus appears to control the spread of the lignin peroxidase-active state within the idiophasic mycelial mat and may be the mating-type locus. The successful determination of linkage relied on analysis of chromosome intervals rather than linkage to single markers; this approach should be generally useful for analysing quantitative characters by RFLP mapping.

Alleles↗

Assessment of children's Type A behavior: relationship with negative behavioral characteristics and children and teacher demographic characteristics.

Thirty-two teachers rated Type A behavior, using Matthews Youth Test for Health, (MYTH) and negative characteristics of hyperactivity, negative peer relations, social withdrawal, and depression in 105 children, between the ages of 6 and 11, from lower to middle class Black and White families. Children's age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status (SES) and teachers' gender, grade taught, and years of teaching experience were not related to teachers' MYTH ratings. However, White teachers rated children higher on Type A behavior than Black teachers. Controlling for teacher race effects, MYTH total scores, rather than reflecting a global negative view of the child, showed a strong overlap with hyperactivity and were differentiated from social withdrawal and depression. The MYTH Impatience/Aggression factor was highly related to hyperactivity and negative peer interactions; the Competitiveness factor was associated with a lack of social withdrawal. The conclusions verify the multidimensional nature of children's Type A behavior pattern and the importance of rater demographic characteristics in the assessment of children's behavior.

Black or African American↗