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Biomedical subjects

C A Weber

Publications and source records attributed to C A Weber.

50 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Analysis of the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes of two basidiomycetes, Coprinus cinereus and Coprinus stercorarius.

The mitochondrial and nuclear genomes of Coprinus stercorarius and C. cinereus were compared to assess their evolutionary relatedness and to characterize at the molecular level changes that have occurred since they diverged from a common ancestor. The mitochondrial genome of C. stercorarius (91.1 kb) is approximately twice as large as that of C. cinereus (43.3 kb). The pattern of restriction enzyme recognition sites shows both genomes to be circular, but reveals no clear homologies; furthermore, the order of structural genes is different in each species. The C. stercorarius mitochondrial genome contains a region homologous to a probe derived from the yeast mitochondrial var1 gene, whereas its nuclear genome does not. By contrast, the C. cinereus nuclear, but not mitochondrial, genome contains a region homologous to the var1 probe. Only a small fraction of either the nuclear or mitochondrial genomes, perhaps corresponding to the coding sequences, is capable of forming duplexes in interspecies solution reassociations, as measured by binding to hydroxylapatite. Those sequences capable of reassociating were found to have approximately 15% divergence for the mitochondrial genomes and 7%-15% divergence for the nuclear genomes, depending on the conditions of reassociation.

Basidiomycota↗

Routine colonoscopy in the management of colorectal carcinoma.

A prospective study of the role of preoperative and routine follow-up colonoscopy in 75 patients with colon and rectal carcinoma disclosed that additional premalignant or malignant lesions were detected and successfully treated in 44 percent of patients. These included four synchronous and three metachronous carcinomas. Timely diagnosis and treatment of such tumors and secondary prevention of metachronous carcinomas by polypectomy is a major identifiable benefit of close follow-up examinations of these patients. No other test compares favorably with colonoscopy in this regard. These data support the conclusion that colonoscopy should be performed routinely preoperatively and every 6 to 12 months after colectomy for carcinoma.

Aged↗

Contemporary management of ankylosing spondylitis.

The comprehensive management of ankylosing spondylitis has both immediate and long-term objectives. The physician must first suppress the patient's articular discomfort and inflammation with NSAIDs, then begin long-range supportive measures such as postural training and daily exercise in order to prevent, delay, or correct deformity. Acute anterior uveitis and other systemic manifestations must be promptly recognized and treated, often with the help of specialists. While the capacity to function and work can be adequately maintained for most patients, it depends largely on patient education and compliance. Educational material for patients with AS may be obtained from either a local chapter or the national headquarters of the Arthritis Foundation (17 Executive Park Drive, NE, Suite 480, Atlanta, GA 30329), as well as the Ankylosing Spondylitis Association (ASA). Patients should be urged to join the ASA in order to receive the monthly newsletter. The address for ASA membership is 3985 Witzel Drive, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403.

Adult↗

Surgery for thyroid disease.

Thyroidectomy is the keystone of management in most patients with thyroid cancer, and has unique advantages in many cases of hyperthyroidism. The role of thyroidectomy in these two conditions is considered, with specific discussion of indications, extent of operation, complications, and technique.

Carcinoma↗

Hormonal and nutritional factors influencing glycogen deposition in primary cultures of rat liver parenchymal cells.

The effect of the glucocorticoids, insulin, and glucose concentration on glycogen deposition in adult rat liver parenchymal cells maintained in a chemically defined, serum-free medium has been studied. Increasing the medium concentration of glucose from 5.6 mM to 30.6 mM in the absence of hormones increased cellular glycogen content from 6.5 to 51 micrograms of glycogen per mg of cell protein. Treatment of the cells with insulin increased the glycogen content by 15 to 30% at medium glucose concentrations above 10.6 mM. The addition if the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, to the culture medium resulted in 40 to 105% increased in glycogen content at glucose concentrations greater than 5.6 mM. The addition of dexamethasone and insulin together in the culture medium resulted in an increase in glycogen content that was greater than the additive effect of each hormone alone. This study establishes that glucose concentrations above 10.6 mM stimulate glycogen deposition in the absence of any hormonal stimulus. In addition, glucocorticoids directly stimulate glycogen deposition at glucose concentrations which are greater than physiological (5.6 mM).

Animals↗

Coordinate regulation of gluconeogenesis by the glucocorticoids and glucagon: evidence for acute and chronic regulation by glucagon.

The coordinate regulation of gluconeogenesis by the glucocorticoids and glucagon in primary cultures of adult rat liver parenchymal cells has been studied. The results suggest that glucagon stimulation of glucose production from 3-carbon precursors is composed of at least two components which the glucocorticoids differentially affect. Glucagon treatment of hepatocytes results in an immediate increase in glucose production which is not blocked by cycloheximide and occurs in the absence of any detectable increase of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity. This component appears to be regulated by a post-translational mechanism and involves redirection of carbon flow from glycolysis to gluconeogenesis. The second component is characterized by the need for long-term glucagon treatment. This increase in glucose production can be blocked by cycloheximide and is correlated with an increase in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity. The reaction that is accelerated by long-term glucagon incubation is located prior to the triose-phosphate level since long-term incubation with glucagon fails to increase glucose production from dihydroxyacetone any more than does short-term incubation. It is suggested that phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase rather than amino acid transport is the key pacemaker reaction in the long-term incubation since the direction and magnitude of the response for glucocorticoid and glucagon stimulation of glucose production is the same whether alanine or lactate is used as the 3-carbon precursor. The glucocorticoids exhibit an additive effect on glucagon-stimulated glucose production for the first component whereas they amplify the second component.

Alanine↗

Catheter-directed thrombolysis for thromboembolic disease during pregnancy: a viable option.

Anticoagulation with intravenous heparin has been the standard treatment for the management of gestational thromboembolic complications. Catheter-directed thrombolysis is an encouraging approach for the treatment of thromboembolic disease and has not been previously reported during pregnancy. One gravid woman with pulmonary embolism, critically ill, and hemodynamically compromised, and two gravid women with iliofemoral venous thrombosis, who failed to respond to standard treatment with intravenous heparin, were treated with catheter-directed urokinase. All three patients experienced rapid resolution of symptoms and successful pregnancy outcomes. In our three patients, catheter-directed thrombolysis for thromboembolic disease during pregnancy allowed rapid resolution of hemodynamic abnormalities and/or resolution of thrombus. Catheter-directed thrombolysis offered a reasonably safe alternative to prolonged medical management in these young, otherwise healthy, patients. Long-term, it may prevent the postphlebitic syndrome.

Adult↗

Aeromonas hydrophila--its implications in freshwater injuries.

Lacerations or puncture wounds sustained in freshwater environments are susceptible to contamination by Aeromonas hydrophila. Numerous cases have been reported of cellulitis secondary to water-related injuries requiring hospitalization where A. hydrophila was the isolated organism. The typical presentation of an infection of A. hydrophila mimics a streptococcal soft tissue infection, which may result in delay in administration of appropriate antibiotics. A case is presented of a nonimmunocompromised patient who developed an A. hydrophila infection following freshwater-related injuries.

Aeromonas hydrophila↗

The role of endoscopy in treatment of stenosing posterior tibial tenosynovitis.

Some foot and ankle pathologic conditions can be treated by an endoscopic approach. Its effectiveness has been reported in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. The authors have used an endoscopic approach in the treatment of posterior tibial tenosynovitis resistant to nonsurgical treatment. A review of the pathology, terminology and the diagnosis of tenosynovitis is provided. The case report demonstrates a technique using an endoscope to incise the posterior tibial tendon sheath.

Adult↗