Showing papers by "Saint Francis University published in 1988"
614 citations
TL;DR: Basic fibroblast growth factor stimulates calvarial DNA synthesis, which causes an increased number of collagen-synthesizing cells, but bFGF has a direct inhibitory effect on collagen synthesis.
Abstract: Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was studied for its effects on bone formation in cultured rat calvariae. bFGF at 0.1-100 ng/ml stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA by up to 4.4-fold. bFGF also increased the number of colcemid-induced metaphase arrested cells and the DNA content. Transient (24 h) treatment with bFGF enhanced [3H]-proline incorporation into collagen 24-48 h after the factor was removed; this effect was DNA synthesis dependent and blocked by hydroxyurea. The collagen stimulated by bFGF was type I, and this effect was observed primarily in the periosteum-free bone. In contrast, continuous treatment with bFGF for 24-96 h inhibited [3H]proline incorporation into type I collagen. bFGF did not alter collagen degradation. In conclusion, bFGF stimulates calvarial DNA synthesis, which causes an increased number of collagen-synthesizing cells, but bFGF has a direct inhibitory effect on collagen synthesis.
384 citations
TL;DR: Experimental evidence indicates that TGF‐β regulates replication and differentiation of mesenchymal precursor cells, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts and is likely to be fundamental to understanding the processes of skeletal growth during development, maintenance of bone mass in adult life, and healing subsequent to bone fracture.
Abstract: Normal skeletal growth results from a balance between the processes of bone matrix synthesis and resorption. These activities are regulated by both systemic and local factors. Bone turnover is dynamic, and skeletal growth must be maintained throughout life. Although many growth promoters are associated with bone matrix, it is enriched particularly with transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) activity. Experimental evidence indicates that TGF-beta regulates replication and differentiation of mesenchymal precursor cells, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts. Recent studies further suggest that TGF-beta activity in skeletal tissue may be controlled at multiple levels by other local and systemic agents. Consequently, the intricate mechanisms by which TGF-beta regulates bone formation are likely to be fundamental to understanding the processes of skeletal growth during development, maintenance of bone mass in adult life, and healing subsequent to bone fracture.
163 citations
TL;DR: Using cells obtained by sequential enzyme release from fetal rat parietal bone, TNF alpha is found to inhibit collagen synthesis and alkaline phosphatase activity in osteoblast-enriched cell cultures by mechanisms that are not related to its effects on cell replication.
Abstract: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha), a product of activated monocytes, induces tissue wasting in certain solid tumors in vivo and in in vitro model systems. Recent studies indicate that TNF alpha also regulates cell replication and expression of differentiated function in a variety of nonneoplastic cell systems. Since monocyte products could accumulate in bone with trauma, inflammation, or other disease states, bone cell activity might be altered by the presence of these pathophysiological molecules. Using cells obtained by sequential enzyme release from fetal rat parietal bone, we find that TNF alpha has acute stimulatory and inhibitory effects on bone cell macromolecular synthesis. Within 24 h of exposure, recombinant human TNF alpha at 0.3-100 nM progressively increases the rate of DNA synthesis in osteoblast-enriched cell cultures up to 3- to 4-fold, and 3-100 nM TNF alpha reduces collagen production and alkaline phosphatase activity by 20-30%. These decreases are not altered by 1 mM hydroxyurea, which blocks the mitogenic effect of TNF alpha by 85-90%. In addition, hydroxyproline levels in the culture medium do not increase relative to the control value after TNF alpha treatment, suggesting that decreased collagen production results from less synthesis rather than increased collagen degradation. Hybridization studies with cDNA encoding the alpha 1-chain of rat type I collagen show that TNF alpha increases type I collagen mRNA to an extent similar to its effect on cell replication. Therefore, TNF alpha appears to inhibit collagen synthesis and alkaline phosphatase activity in osteoblast-enriched cell cultures by mechanisms that are not related to its effects on cell replication.
121 citations
TL;DR: In osteoblast-enriched fetal rat parietal bone cell cultures, low TGF-beta doses increase DNA synthesis, whereas higher levels are less mitogenic, stimulate collagen production, and decrease alkaline phosphatase activity.
Abstract: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is produced by bone cells, is abundant in bone matrix, and regulates bone cell biochemical processes. In osteoblast-enriched fetal rat parietal bone cell cultures, low TGF-beta doses increase DNA synthesis, whereas higher levels are less mitogenic, stimulate collagen production, and decrease alkaline phosphatase activity. Parathyroid hormone by itself has minimal effects on these processes, but it opposes the effects of TGF-beta and alters TGF-beta binding to its receptors in osteoblast-enriched cultures. Some functions ascribed to parathyroid hormone in bone may therefore result from alterations in TGF-beta activity, suggesting that the local effects of TGF-beta in bone are under systemic hormonal control.
98 citations
TL;DR: It is clear that patients who have altered mental status, abnormal examination findings, distracting injury, or pain or tenderness over the cervical spine must have cervical spine radiographs.
Abstract: Criteria for excluding cervical spine injury in patients who have sustained blunt head or neck trauma were prospectively studied at four hospitals in the Chicago area. The authors attempted to define a subset of these adult patients who, based on clinical criteria, could reliably be excluded from cervical spine radiography, thus avoiding unnecessary radiation and saving considerable time and money in their evaluation. Patients fell into four groups: (1) patients who were awake, alert, and had no complaint of neck pain or tenderness on physical examination: (2) patients who were awake, alert, but had complaint of neck pain or tenderness on physical examination laterally over the trapezius muscle only: (3) patients who were awake, alert, but had complaint of central neck pain or tenderness on physical examination over the cervical spine or center of the neck; and (4) patients who were not fully awake or alert, were clinically intoxicated, had other painful or distracting injuries, or had focal neurologic findings. Patients in group 4 had significantly more fractures (21/387) when compared with all other patients (7/478). Patients with central neck pain or tenderness (group 3) had significantly more fractures ( 7 237 ) than patients without pain or tenderness or with these findings limited to the trapezius area (0/236). It is clear that patients who have altered mental status, abnormal examination findings, distracting injury, or pain or tenderness over the cervical spine must have cervical spine radiographs. In a patient who is awake, alert, has normal physical examination findings, is undistracted by other painful injuries, and has no pain or tenderness in the neck or these findings are limited to the trapezius area, there is less than 1% chance of a cervical spine fracture, with a 90% confidence limit. Our data strongly suggest we can modify our use of cervical spine radiographs in patients sustaining blunt head trauma without subjecting patients to undue risk.
81 citations
TL;DR: Adult bone matrix, like fetal bone cultures, contains TGFβ, β2 m, and IGF I and these factors may play a role in adult skeletal remodeling.
Abstract: Fetal rat calvariae synthesize transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), β2 microglobulin (β2 m), and insulinlike growth factor I (IGF I), but, except for TGFβ, it is not known if these polypeptides are also present in adult bone tissue. Pulverized bovine bone, extracted with 0.5 N HCl and 4 M guanidine HCl and fractionated by gel filtration, was found to contain several biologically active components when tested for its effects on DNA synthesis in osteoblast-rich cell cultures. TGFβ, β2 m, and IGF I were identified and further purified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). TGFβ, identified by a standard TGFβ bioassay or by immunoreactivity, was purified by μBondapak C18 and μBondapak CN reversed phase HPLC. β2 m, identified by immunoreactivity, required an additional fractionation step on a DEAE-HPLC column for complete purification. IGF I, identified by immunoreactivity, was purified by HPLC using a μBondapak C18 and a DEAE-HPLC column. Purified TGFβ, β2 m, and IGF I migrated as single bands on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with respective molecular masses of 24,000, 10,000, and 7,500. In conclusion, adult bone matrix, like fetal bone cultures, contains TGFβ, β2 m, and IGF I and these factors may play a role in adult skeletal remodeling.
70 citations
TL;DR: This study documents nosocomial transmission of Hib, by using molecular typing methods, and confirms that Geographic clustering was the only significant risk factor, as determined by a case-control study.
Abstract: A nosocomial outbreak of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bronchitis occurred in a geriatric unit. The three infected patients were grouped together in an isolation unit and treated. A prevalence survey was done by obtaining pharyngeal cultures from patients and staff in the unit. One patient and a nurse were asymptomatic pharyngeal carriers of Hib. One infected patient was bedridden, and his only known Hib contact was the nurse. Geographic clustering was the only significant risk factor, as determined by a case-control study. Carriers were treated with rifampin. The isolates were characterized for strain relatedness by using three methods. All produced i-lactamase and all were serotype b. Plasmid profiles and restriction endonuclease analysis of bacterial DNA were performed; chromosomes were digested with the restriction endonucleases HindIIIl and HaeIII. Strains were confirmed as identical by using these methods and were different from two Hib control strains producing 1-lactamase. This study documents nosocomial transmission of Hib, by using molecular typing methods.
33 citations
TL;DR: A case of attempted suicide by propranolol overdose presenting as convulsions followed by bradyasystolic cardiopulmonary arrest successfully managed by external transcutaneous pacing is presented, the first report of successful trans cutaneous pacing for beta adrenergic antagonist poisoning.
31 citations
TL;DR: Four testing protocols were completed by each of 10 runners using a common speed for protocols 1 and 2, each runner's training pace for protocol 3 (P3) and a speed selected manually by the runner for protocol 4 (P4).
Abstract: Four testing protocols were completed by each of 10 runners using a common speed for protocols 1 and 2 (P1 and P2), each runner's training pace for protocol 3 (P3) and a speed selected manually by the runner for protocol 4 (P4). Stages were increased by 2.5% grade every 2 min for each protocol except for P1, which had 1 min stages. There were no significant differences in maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) between protocols (P1, 65.0 +/- 5.6 ml.kg-1 min-1; P2, 64.5 +/- 5.3 ml.kg-1 min-1; P3, 66.2 +/- 3.9 ml.kg-1 min-1; P4, 64.7 +/- 5.8 ml.kg-1 min-1). Treadmill time was significantly less for P1 than for the other protocols. The rate of perceived exertion obtained at maximal exercise during P1 was less than that obtained during the other three protocols. Heart rate was significantly lower (P less than 0.05) at any level of submaximal VO2 during P3 than during the other protocols. We recommend a testing protocol using speeds approximating the runner's training pace and 1 min stages. This may result in lower perception of difficulty and HR throughout the test and shorter testing times.
24 citations
TL;DR: Another case of split notochord syndrome of the lumbosacral spine is presented, with sacral agenesis as an additional and unique finding, and several etiological theories are discussed including the persistence of the neurenteric canal.
Abstract: Split notochord syndrome of the lumbosacral spine in association with dorsal enteric fistula is a rare phenomenon. To date, only nine human cases have been reported in the English literature. We present another case of this type, with sacral agenesis as an additional and unique finding. Several etiological theories are discussed including the persistence of the neurenteric canal, the occurrence of an ectopic or accessory neurenteric canal, a division or local redundancy of the notochord, an entodermal-ectodermal adhesion, neural tube rupture caused by oversecretion of fluid, and failure or aberrancy of dorsal aortic distribution to the region of the neural folds resulting in prevention of timely neural tube closure.
TL;DR: This study shows that outpatient brachytherapy can be carried out without sophisticated and expensive equipment with minimal staff trained in radiation therapy in Haiti and can be adapted to other developing and industrialized nations where cost containment is becoming a key issue.
Abstract: From 1977 through 1984, 293 previously untreated patients with biopsy proven carcinoma of the uterine cervix were treated by whole pelvis irradiation and high intensity 60Co remote afterloading (RAL) intrauterine tandem techniques in Haiti. The treatment results were analyzed retrospectively to evaluate the therapeutic results and prognostic factors of a strict protocol involving 40 Gy to the whole pelvis (2 Gy/day, 5 days/week). In addition, on the 5th day of the 3rd week, the first outpatient 60Co remote afterloading intracavitary insertion, delivering 7.5 Gy to point “A” with each insertion, repeated 3 times by a week separation for a total of 4 times. The total TDF for external beam plus RAL was 158 and 175 for early and late effects respectively. One hundred-four patients were evaluable after 1 year or more follow-up, with a median of 26.5 months. No evidence of disease (NED) by Stage at 1 year was: Stage I of 100% ( 3 3 ), Stage II of 82% ( 9 11 ), Stage III of 80% ( 47 59 ), and Stage IV of 58% ( 18 31 ). The post-therapeutic complication rate was 7.7%, with no fistulas or requirement of surgical intervention. Those with documented follow-up of at least 2 years (74 patients) had comparable survival to other high dose rate and low dose rate studies. This study shows that outpatient brachytherapy can be carried out without sophisticated and expensive equipment with minimal staff trained in radiation therapy. A detailed description of this outpatient RAL technique and results are described so that this method can be adapted to other developing and industrialized nations where cost containment is becoming a key issue.
TL;DR: The initial distribution of Tc-TBI is proportional to regional myocardial blood flow and there is minimal washout and no redistribution into the initial defect over time, and thus image quality is stable over time.
TL;DR: An alternative method for the treatment of an entrapped stone basket was described, when efforts to remove an engaged stone through the intramural ureter met with marked resistance, using Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy to pulverize the stone.
TL;DR: A case of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of a high-grade stenosis at the origin of the left internal mammary graft is presented and an investigational angled-balloon dilating catheter was used.
Abstract: A case of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of a high-grade stenosis at the origin of the left internal mammary graft is presented. An investigational angled-balloon dilating catheter was used.
TL;DR: An 85-year-old woman with leiomyosarcoma occupying the abdominopelvic area had a renal dynamic study with Tc-99m DTPA, and it was noted that tumors of mesodermal origin (leiomyoma, spindle cell sarcoma, neurofibroma) may have the ability to concentrate Tc -99mDTPA.
Abstract: An 85-year-old woman with leiomyosarcoma occupying the abdominopelvic area had a renal dynamic study with Tc-99m DTPA. The tumor area initially showed almost no content of the radiopharmaceutical. At 24 hours, there was retention of activity in the leiomyosarcoma as compared with surrounding tissues (flip flop). It was noted that, based on literature reports, tumors of mesodermal origin (leiomyoma, spindle cell sarcoma, neurofibroma) may have the ability to concentrate Tc-99m DTPA.
TL;DR: Canine apocrine cell adenocarcinoma of the anal sac (APO-AS) is a spontaneously occurring tumor that causes humorally medicated hypercalcemia in 90% of cases and the nature of the responsible mediator in APo-AS is defined.
Abstract: Canine apocrine cell adenocarcinoma of the anal sac (APO-AS) is a spontaneously occurring tumor that causes humorally medicated hypercalcemia in 90% of cases. To further define the nature of the responsible mediator in APO-AS, we examined tumor extracts from five APO-AS and four control tumors for adenylate cyclase-stimulating activity (ACSA). All extracts from APO-AS contained potent ACSA, whereas the four control tumors did not. The ACSA extracted from one tumor demonstrated a dose response curve parallel to that of synthetic bovinePTH-(1–34) and was 80% inhibited by Nle8,18,Tyr34 bPTH-(3–34)amide at a concentration of 10−5 M. Extracts from three APO-AS and three control tumors were also examined forin vitro bone-resorbing activity (BRA). All APO-AS contained significant BRA, stimulating resorption 1.47 to 2.13-fold over basal, whereas none of the control tumors stimulated resorption. Purification of one extract using C18 reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) resulted in a single sharp peak of ACSA which was 400-fold purified compared with the initial extract. This pool also contained significant bone-resorbing activity, whereas none of the adjacent pools did. Purification of a second extract using sequential CN and C18 RP-HPLC followed by size exclusion HPLC resulted in material that was at least 10,000-fold purified, and showed co-purification of ACSA and B TGF-like activity.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The authors believe that the physician dealing with premature or small-for-dates infants, or infants of diabetic mothers, can base emergency therapy on the results obtained by this bedside method of blood glucose measurement pending confirmation by the clinical laboratory.
Abstract: In this study, a new glucose reflective meter was compared with a conventional laboratory measure of glucose concentration. The excellent correlation found (r = 0.988) simplicity and economic cost make the new method suitable for use in the neonatal intensive care (NICU) environment. The authors believe that the physician dealing with premature or small-for-dates infants, or infants of diabetic mothers, can base emergency therapy on the results obtained by this bedside method of blood glucose measurement pending confirmation by the clinical laboratory.
TL;DR: A urinary bladder, not demonstrable in the pelvis during a bone scan, was noted to have prolapsed.
Abstract: A urinary bladder, not demonstrable in the pelvis during a bone scan, was noted to have prolapsed.
TL;DR: High-resolution electron microscopic evidence suggests that the interlysosomal junction is organized as a 35-40 A thick pleated ribbon extending between a 200-A wide interlysOSomal space, in close contact with the adjoining lysosomal membranes, without apparent integration into the membrane.
Abstract: Five different malignant tumors and two nasal polyps were examined by electron microscopy for diagnosis purposes. In all cases occasional large cells containing lysosomes interconnected by characteristic junctions were observed. The interlysosomal junctions appeared organized in zig-zag and ladder like configurations. The ultrastructural and morphometric analyses of these junctions postulated that the two configurations represented the same structure viewed in two different sectioning planes. High-resolution electron microscopic evidence suggests that the interlysosomal junction is organized as a 35-40 A thick pleated ribbon extending between a 200-A wide interlysosomal space, in close contact with the adjoining lysosomal membranes, without apparent integration into the membrane.
TL;DR: From 1983 to 1986, 1110 gynecology office patients met the prospective mammographic screening criteria and ninety-eight mammographically guided, needle-localized breast biopsies were performed on 89 patients, scoring 8.0% accurate.
TL;DR: This work tested the quantity and uniqueness of lay literature citation retrieval from three common online services (Dialog, BRS, and Wilsonline), and found Magazine Index and National Newspaper Index, both from Dialog, had the highest mean quantitative citation retrieval.
Abstract: The use of online computer searching in drug information is now a standard of practice. The literature in this area, to date, has involved accessing medical and scientific literature exclusively. Drug information practitioners are often asked questions that have their origin in the lay or public literature. This literature can be difficult to locate and substantiate. It is often necessary, however, to identify the original source of such a question before turning to the medical literatureWe utilized the first 40 questions received by our drug information service that required a lay literature search as our sample. We tested the quantity and uniqueness of lay literature citation retrieval from three common online services (Dialog, BRS, and Wilsonline)Of the 12 subfiles evaluated, Magazine Index and National Newspaper Index, both from Dialog, had the highest mean quantitative citation retrieval. The wire services (United Press International and Washington Post Index) had high mean unique citation retrieval....
TL;DR: Direct endoscopic implantation of radioactive materials for carcinoma of the prostate without an open operation was accomplished by the use of modified existing transurethral instrumentation and techniques, suggesting a potential for greater precision of seed placement as illustrated by computer tomography.
Abstract: Direct endoscopic implantation of radioactive materials for carcinoma of the prostate without an open operation was accomplished by the use of modified existing transurethral instrumentation and techniques. The closed approach seems applicable particularly to the geriatric population, which is afflicted more commonly but is frequently not treated because of concurrent diseases or because the patient had transurethral resection of the prostate as a diagnostic procedure. Eleven patients were implanted using the transurethral route. Implantations were accomplished successfully with extremely low morbidity. Along with more conventional dosimetry studies, computer tomography was used to assess the placement of seeds. The direct visualization of the method suggests a potential for greater precision of seed placement as illustrated by computer tomography. In addition, this new instrumentation and method offers a low-risk procedure for carcinoma of the prostate that can be performed on an outpatient basis for selected patients.
TL;DR: For the physician seeing the adolescent female, thorough medical histories must include questions regarding the breast, and evaluation for galactorrhea must be part of every breast examination, and the physician needs to be familiar with the evaluation of amenorrhea and/or galactor rhea and include determination of serum prolactin when indicated.
Abstract: We describe the presentation, clinical evaluation, and outcome of 3 cases of hyperprolactinemia in adolescent females. Case #1 is a 16 and 4/12-year-old female with secondary amenorrhea. Pregnancy testing had previously been negative with no further evaluation. Bilateral expressible galactorrhea was discovered on physical examination and a serum prolactin was 110.3 ng/ml. The computed tomography (CT) scan was normal and menses resumed with bromocriptine therapy. Case #2 is a 15 and Vi2-year-old female who came for a routine yearly examination. She had no complaint and was menstruating regularly. Specific questioning revealed a history of galactorrhea confirmed by physical examination. A serum prolactin was 47.0 ng/ml. A CT scan showed a pituitary microadenoma. She was treated with bromocriptine. Case #3 is a 16 and 9/12-year-old female who was seen for primary amenorrhea. An evaluation revealed a serum prolactin of 143.0 ng/ml. A CT scan showed a pituitary microadenoma. She was treated with bromocriptine and began to menstruate regularly. For the physician seeing the adolescent female, thorough medical histories must include questions regarding the breast, and evaluation for galactorrhea must be part of every breast examination. The physician also needs to be familiar with the evaluation of amenorrhea and/or galactorrhea and include determination of serum prolactin when indicated. We recommend obtaining a constant enhanced CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the sella turcica to evaluate any elevation of serum prolactin.
TL;DR: A standard dual chamber pacemaker with the ability to telemeter intracardiac electrograms and to perform noninvasive electrophysiological studies was implanted in a patient with previously documented complex ventricular arrhythmias treated with amiodarone who later presented with a hypersensitive carotid sinus syndrome and syncope.
Abstract: A standard dual chamber pacemaker with the ability to telemeter intracardiac electrograms and to perform noninvasive electrophysiological studies was implanted in a patient with previously documented complex ventricular arrhythmias treated with amiodarone who later presented with a hypersensitive carotid sinus syndrome and syncope. Subsequently, he developed a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia with an atrial cycle length of 320 ms. Its diagnosis was facilitated by the ability to noninvasively telemeter atrial endocardial electrograms directly from the implanted pacemaker. Its management was aided by utilizing the already implanted bradycardia support pacemaker to stimulate the patient with premature extrastimuli coupled to his intrinsic atrial rhythm (PS1 and S1S2 each 170 ms.) by connecting the pacemaker to an electrophysiological stimulator via the pacemaker programmer. This particular pacemaker was not chosen because of this capability at the time of its original implantation. However, this capability facilitated the patient's evaluation and subsequent management.