Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B A Harris

Publications and source records attributed to B A Harris.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Peripheral placental separation: a review.

Marginal placental bleeding is a distinct entity, marked (usually) by minor degrees of vaginal bleeding and significantly associated with premature labor and premature rupture of the membranes. Pathologically it is characterized by an adherent marginal placental hematoma, which shows varying degrees of film deposition and leukocytic infiltration depending on the age of the clot. Marginal placental bleeding may occur only once or be repeated many times. It usually is not fatal to mother or fetus per se. The chief clinical significance of the marginal placental bleed is its tendency to be confused with placenta previa. The perinatal mortality associated with perpheral placental separation is largely that of prematurity.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1987

Identification of the lesion in the stimulatory GTP-binding protein of the uncoupled S49 lymphoma.

The stimulatory GTP-binding protein (Gs) of the uncoupled mutant of S49 lymphoma cells is deficient in its ability to transduce hormonal signals from ligand-bound beta-adrenergic receptors to the catalytic component of adenylate cyclase. In order to define the genetic defect in the Gs of uncoupled S49 cells, a complementary DNA clone encoding the alpha-subunit of Gs was analyzed and the deduced primary structure of the defective subunit compared to that of the wild-type subunit. A single nucleotide transversion was found that coded for a proline rather than an arginine at residue 389. The results indicate a domain of the alpha-subunit of Gs that specifically interacts with hormone receptors.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1987

Improvement of chronic neurotic excoriations with oral doxepin therapy.

Two patients with 6- to 7-year histories of neurotic excoriations refractory to the usual dermatologic management were referred for evaluation. Both had symptoms and signs of depression associated with the onset and persistence of the skin condition. Doxepin, a tricyclic antidepressant therapy with potent antihistamine properties, was used in oral doses of 30-75 mg daily for our patients. This therapy resulted in symptomatic and clinical improvement in both patients within several weeks. This limited report of apparent benefit of doxepin in two patients with neurotic excoriations and depression offers a potential therapy in the management of this challenging clinical problem.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1987

Functional recovery after hip fracture.

This investigation was designed to describe the 12-month functional recovery following hip fracture, testing the hypothesis that intensive rehabilitation would enhance the level of functional recovery. The study included 50 patients with intertrochanteric, and 25 patients with subcapital hip fractures who were admitted to the Massachusetts General Hospital teaching service (67% women, mean age = 78 yr). Twenty-nine percent of the patients died in the year after fracture. Among survivors, only 33% and 21% regained their prefracture function in five basic and six instrumental activities of daily living, respectively. Twenty-six percent regained their prefracture level of social/role functioning. There were no statistically significant differences in mortality, hospital discharge status, or pattern and level of functional recovery, between patients receiving experimental and standard approaches to hospital rehabilitation.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1986

Transfer of hepatitis B virus by contaminated reusable needle electrodes after electrodesiccation in simulated use.

Reusable needle electrodes have been standard for electrodesiccation procedures commonly done by dermatologists. This study investigates the risk of transmission of hepatitis B virus by such electrodes during simulated use with electrodesiccation. Sterile needle electrodes were inoculated with either purified hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg+) concentrate or serum positive for both HBsAg and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymerase activity (a measure of infectious and replicating hepatitis B virus), followed by simulated use for electrodesiccation at various settings and rinsing of the tip with negative serum. The rinse serum was then assayed for HBsAg, DNA polymerase activity, and the presence of viral particles by electron microscopy. HBsAg could be transferred through the electrodesiccation procedure at all settings used. Although DNA polymerase activity was negative in the rinse serum, electron microscopy demonstrated transfer of HBsAg forms and complete virus. These results suggest a potential risk of spread of hepatitis B virus by reusable needle electrodes for electrodesiccation.

Electrocoagulation↗
PubMed1986

Deduced primary structure of the alpha subunit of the GTP-binding stimulatory protein of adenylate cyclase.

A bovine adrenal cDNA clone encoding the entire alpha subunit of the GTP-binding regulatory protein that stimulates adenylate cyclase (Gs) was isolated and sequenced. This cDNA directed the synthesis of the larger, 52-kDa form of the polypeptide in COS cells, even though the clone appeared to encode a 46-kDa protein. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of Gs alpha with the alpha subunit of another G protein, transducin, revealed striking homologies.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1985

Molecular cloning of complementary DNA for the alpha subunit of the G protein that stimulates adenylate cyclase.

A complementary DNA clone encoding the alpha subunit of the adenylate cyclase stimulatory G protein (Gs) was isolated and identified. A bovine brain complementary DNA library was screened with an oligonucleotide probe derived from amino acid sequence common to known G proteins. The only clone that was obtained with this probe has a complementary DNA insert of approximately 1670 base pairs. An antibody to a peptide synthesized according to deduced amino acid sequence reacts specifically with the alpha subunit of Gs. In addition, RNA that hybridizes with probes made from the clone is detected in wild-type S49 cells; however, cyc- S49 cells, which are deficient in Gs alpha activity, are devoid of this messenger RNA.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1985

Fatal meconium aspiration syndrome occurring despite airway management considered appropriate.

A combined obstetric-pediatric approach to tracheal toilet is said to prevent serious cases of the potentially fatal meconium aspiration syndrome. After delivery of the head a DeLee trap is used to suction the oropharynx and nasopharynx. Immediately following delivery, endotracheal suction is performed in an effort to remove any remaining meconium-stained amniotic fluid. Although routinely using this approach, we continue to have occasional cases of fatal meconium aspiration syndrome. Therefore, we reviewed the outcome of infants born through meconium-stained fluid. During a 5-year period, 1420 (15%) of 9299 live-born infants had meconium-stained fluid. Thirty (2.1%) of these 1420 developed meconium aspiration syndrome and 12 (40%) died; eight received a postmortem examination. Four had unequivocal evidence of meconium aspiration, two had large numbers of intra-alveolar squamous cells, and two had no evidence of aspiration. We conclude that aggressive airway management during and immediately after delivery does not always prevent fatal meconium aspiration syndrome.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1985

Knee rehabilitation following arthroscopic meniscectomy.

Guidelines for knee rehabilitation after conventional open meniscectomy are generally well known. Less agreement exists on rehabilitation following arthroscopic meniscectomy. The program is sometimes arbitrary. Rehabilitation should follow a logical progression regardless of the type of surgery performed. Rehabilitation following knee surgery can be divided into four phases: immediate post-operative period, early healing phase, late healing phase, and conditioning for return to preinjury activity. Following arthroscopic surgery, the overall recovery time can be significantly shortened compared to conventional arthrotomy, primarily by decreasing the length of the early postoperative phases. A smaller incision causes less soft-tissue injury to skin, capsule, synovium, and other periarticular structures, resulting in less quadriceps inhibition and a more rapid recovery. The rate of tissue healing is not altered, however, and the knee must still heal completely before the patient can return to a full functional level. Not all patients are rehabilitated uniformly, and a great deal of variability exists following arthroscopic surgery. Factors that affect the speed of rehabilitation and return to normal function are the extent of meniscectomy performed, the coexistence of additional intra- or extra-articular pathology, and individual patient differences. Therefore, an arbitrary time frame for rehabilitation following arthroscopic meniscectomy is not recommended. Rather, each patient should progress from one stage of rehabilitation to the next, based on objective knee findings.

Arthroscopy↗
PubMed1985

The incompetent cervix.

All methods for the management of CI have been described as producing a significant improvement in fetal salvage. The Lash procedure and the pessary have been deemed the most effective. However, the methods of patient selection in many of the older studies are not described, and their statistical validity is suspect. CI is thus a disease of uncertain etiology. Its pathophysiology is poorly understood, and methods of treatment vary greatly both as to technique and efficacy.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed1985

Peripheral placental separation: a possible relationship to premature labor.

This investigation was undertaken to determine the relationship, if any, between peripheral placental separation and idiopathic premature labor. Ninety placentas from prematurely delivered patients (who had had no antepartum bleeding) were examined grossly and microscopically. Criteria for antepartum peripheral placental separation included adherent clot, with fibrin deposition and lamination, as well as polymorphonuclear infiltration and marginal decidual necrosis. Forty-nine placentas showed unequivocal evidence of previous peripheral separation. Another three placentas showed presumptive evidence of previous peripheral separation. It is suggested that this separation is of venous origin, and that it may play a role in the process of premature labor. This is not necessarily a cause and effect relationship.

Abruptio Placentae↗
PubMed1984

Isokinetic testing in patients with hemiparesis. A pilot study.

The Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure quadriceps femoris and hamstring muscle function in 15 patients with hemiparesis. Comparisons of isokinetic data obtained at 30 degrees/sec and 180 degrees/sec were made between the involved and uninvolved side of patients and the right side of 15 healthy subjects matched by age, sex, and weight. Peak torque of both muscles on both sides of the patients was significantly less than the peak torque of muscles of healthy subjects at both speeds. Other significant differences occurred on the involved side including decreased limb excursion, prolonged time factors related to tension development and the interval between reciprocal contractions, and fatigability at high speed. Results indicated that isokinetic testing can provide objective information about quadriceps femoris and hamstring muscle performance in hemiparetic patients.

Adolescent↗