Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Thomas

Publications and source records attributed to B Thomas.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Distribution of alpha-Galactosidase in Cucurbita pepo.

The distribution of alpha-galactosidase (alpha-d-galactoside galactohydrolase [EC 3.2.1.22]) in Cucurbita pepo has been determined in an attempt to assess its involvement in hydrolysis of transport sugars of the raffinose oligosaccharide series ([alpha-1-6-0-galactopyranosyl](n) sucrose). Extracts prepared from leaves and petioles at different stages of development, roots, flowers, dry and germinating seeds, all contained appreciable levels of alpha-galactosidase activity. Chromatography of these extracts on DEAE-Sephadex resolved the enzyme into three active isozymic forms. These isozymes were present in all regions of the plant analyzed but their relative proportions varied between tissues and changed within leaf and petiole tissues during development and in seeds during their germination. The level of total alpha-galactosidase activity in the leaf blade measured on a fresh weight or total protein basis remained constant at all developmental stages analyzed. The occurrence of these isozymes in mature exporting leaves indicates an effective intracellular compartmentation between their location and the sites of galactosyl oligosaccharide biosynthesis, accumulation and movement in the tissue. We have used these results to comment on the transport pathway of galactosyl oligosaccharides between the phloem and surrounding tissues in this plant.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1978

Sensitivity of urine-grown cells of Providencia stuartii to antiseptics.

Urine-grown cultures of 23 clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria having a range of minimum inhibitory concentration values for chorhexidine were challenged with various concentrations of this antiseptic. The results suggest that cells of Providencia stuartii, in particular, exhibit a considerable degree of resistance to chlorhexidine under these conditions, concentrations of up to 10 000--20 000 microgram/ml of urine being necessary to produce complete loss of viability of such cultures. Of the other two antiseptics tested, phenoxyethanol proved to be the more effective, the recommended use concentration of 2% v/v producing reductions in viable counts of greater than six logarithms in all the strains examined. It is suggested that phenoxyethanol may be a suitable alternative to the cationic agents for use in antiseptic policies for bladder management of urinary tract infections with Providencia stuartii.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗
PubMed1978

Corporate evangelization: pooling generosity and competence.

The conditions of the society in which we live oblige those providing health care to use every means available to bring the Christian message to the people they serve. Only if individuals and religious communities unite in their efforts to provide total care and healing to persons in need can the goal of true evangelization be achieved.

Catholicism↗
PubMed1978

Monitoring of cardiac output by pulse contour method.

A pulse contour method for cardiac output determination was evaluated in sixteen cardiac surgery patients. Stroke volume was derived from the aortic pressure waveform by means of a formula developed by Wesseling and was calculated with an in-built computer (Philips cardiac output module). The method was used for continuous postoperative monitoring and was compared with thermodilution cardiac output determinations. The overall comparison of data (71 simultaneous measurements) yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.78 (regression y = 0.81 x + 1.07 liter) (p less than 0.001). Advantages and disadvantages of the pulse contour method are discussed.

Cardiac Output↗
PubMed1977

[Multiple sex drive abnormalities in a patient with Klinefelter's syndrome].

The authors report various sexual instinct disturbances and, more specifically, exhibitionism and pedophilia of a 25-year-old patient with Klinefelter's syndrome. The patient had committed several punishable offenses and was referred to our specialty clinic for psychologic and psychiatric examinations. Aspects of psychopathology and causal etiopathogenetic relationships of the authors' own observations are discussed and compared with those reported in the literature. Environmental factors are considered to be primarily responsible for the development of sexual perversions. The Klinefelter syndrome as such may be regarded as being of predispositional importance only.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[A simple biochemical method for the determination of "dietary fibre" in plant foods (author's transl)].

A simple enzymatic method for the determination of total waterinsoluble unavailable unavailable carbohydrates (dietary fibre) and their components of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin is proposed, which would replace the chemical determination of "crude fibre". In this method the sample is treated with amylolytic and proteolytic enzymes. The insoluble residue that remains after the starch and protein have been removed is considered as "unavailable carbohydrates" (dietary fibre) and fractionated to three main components (crude hemicellulose, curde cellulose and crude lignin) by applying separate treatments with 5% and 72% H2SO4. The complete separation process is carried out in a single new quartz-centrifugal tube fitted with a G3 quartzfilter. Experiments on a range of samples indicate that the method is simple, fast and reproducible.

Cellulose↗
PubMed1976

Sensitivity of Providence to antiseptics and disinfectants.

Seventy isolates of Providence were obtained from urinary tract infections in patients from five hospitals. They were all identified as Providence B (Providencia stuartii). A typing system was devised for these organisms based on their production of and sensitivity to bacteriophage and bacteriocins. Using this system, 27 distinct strains were recognized, and it was clear that many patients had been infected with the same strain. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of six antiseptics and disinfectants for these strains were determined. Many of the strains were up to 300-fold more resistant to the cationic antiseptics chlorhexidine, cetrimide, and Resiguard than the control strain Escherichia coli NCTC 10418. The sensitivities of the Providence strains to Hycolin, glutaraldehyde, and phenyl mercuric nitrate, however, were similar to those of the control organism. There were significant correlations between the sensitivities of the strains to the three cationic antiseptics. The loss of chlorhexidine resistance from a Providence strain after exposure of the cells to N-methyl-N' nitro N nitrosoguanidine resulted in a concomitant loss of resistance to cetrimide and Resiguard, but there was no significant increase in the sensitivity of the mutants to the other three antibacterials.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗
PubMed1976

Clinical use of etomidate.

Etomidate and methohexital were administered for induction of anesthesia in 45 patients who had to undergo open heart surgery. The anesthesia technique was otherwise standardised. Measurements of blood pressure and heart rate were obtained during a period of ten minutes after injection of the induction agent, and in a selected group of 16 patients cardiac index and stroke volume index were obtained by impedance cardiography. In the group of 45 patients, blood pressure one minute after induction was unchanged with Etomidate, but decreased (-6%) with methohexital. During intubation, important variations of systolic blood pressure occurred, specially with Etomidate (+ 36%) and less with methohexital (+ 21%). Heart rate increased in both groups during intubation (+ 41%) and returned towards starting value after ten minutes. In the group of 16 patients, cardiac index varied with Etomidate, decreasing during intubation (- 21%), increasing to + 32% and then returning to starting value afterwards. Heart rate increased with intubation (+ 39%) and was still somewhat elevated at ten minutes. Stroke volume index decreased with intubation (- 36%) and was still lower than the initial value at ten minutes (- 14%). With methohexital, cardiac index variations were less pronounced (+ 11%). Cardiac index was lower than the initial value at ten minutes (- 14%). Stroke volume index decreased with intubation (- 36%) and was still lower than the initial value at ten minutes (- 14%). This was compensated by an increase in heart rate. These measurements made during induction reflect the complex interaction of drug administration and technical manipulations. Blood pressure lowering one minute after the injection of methohexital can be ascribed to vasodilatation and myocardial depression. The important blood pressure and cardiac index variations observed with Etomidate are probably due to the short action and the lack of analgesic properties of this agent.

Adult↗