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Biomedical subjects

D Norris

Publications and source records attributed to D Norris.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Is hemisplenectomy a satisfactory option to total splenectomy in abdominal staging of Hodgkin's disease?

The spleens removed in 76 consecutive staging laparotomies for Hodgkin's disease were studied. The spleens were divided from superior to inferior pole into anterior and posterior halves and each half further divided into superior, mid, and inferior sectors. Sectors were studied grossly and microscopically and involvement by Hodgkin's recorded. Of the 23 positive spleens, all sectors were positive in 12, 5 sectors positive in 1, 4 sectors in 3, 3 sectors in 3, 2 sectors in 1, and 1 sector in 2. In one spleen, four sectors were involved but were not marked properly to allow identification of which four, and one spleen with fairly diffuse disease was not handled according to protocol, remaining an "indeterminate" positive. From the anatomic distribution, a lower pole hemisplenectomy would have removed disease in 22 of 23 spleens and likely would have shown disease in the diffusely involved "indeterminate" spleen. An upper pole hemisplenectomy would have missed disease in one spleen and possibly in the "indeterminate" spleen. Either approach would have missed disease in around 1% of the 76 cases. The addition of a biopsy of the opposite pole that remains is technically feasible and would reduce this small incidence of undetected abdominal disease. With the increasing appreciation of the importance of the immunologic functions of the spleen, alternative techniques for determining splenic involvement have been proposed. From this study, hemisplenectomy appears to be an attractive alternate that preserves the vital functions of the spleen with a minute risk of overlooking the presence of Hodgkin's disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

The two gene pairs encoding H2A and H2B play different roles in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae life cycle.

We have isolated Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants bearing deletions of one or the other of the two divergently transcribed gene pairs encoding H2A and H2B. The deletions produced diverse effects on the yeast life cycle. Deletion of TRT1, one of the H2A-H2B gene pair sets, affected mitotic growth, sporulation, spore germination, the heat shock response, and exit from the stationary phase; deletion of TRT2, the other H2A-H2B gene pair set, had negligible effects on these same processes. Using a genetic complementation assay, we found that the differential effects of the deletions could be attributed to two features of the gene sets: first, the expression of the TRT1 gene pair, but not the TRT2 gene pair, could compensate for the absence of its partner; second, the protein subtypes encoded by the two gene pairs appear to have different functions in the heat shock response.

Cell Cycle↗
PubMed1985

Recent developments in the etiology and treatment of hypertension: dietary calcium, fat, and magnesium.

Dietary calcium, magnesium, and polyunsaturated and saturated fat have each been implicated as being important factors in the development and treatment of hypertension. Although the mechanisms underlying the relationship between calcium and blood pressure are not clearly defined, calcium supplementation may be effective in lowering blood pressure in certain calcium sensitive subgroups. Dietary polyunsaturated fat intake as a source of linoleic acid may be important in the production of prostaglandins, which are known to modify blood pressure levels. Available evidence indicates that an increased intake of polyunsaturated fat relative to saturated fat may have a hypotensive effect in individuals with borderline hypertension. The mechanisms by which magnesium modifies blood pressure are thought to be both direct and indirect, probably interacting with other electrolytes known to affect vascular smooth muscle tone such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. There is insufficient information from human studies to conclude that magnesium supplementation will lower blood pressure levels.

Calcium, Dietary↗
PubMed1984

A Melanoma Registry based on a computer-run word and data processing system.

A Melanoma Register, previously organised on a filing card system, has been largely transferred to a computer which utilises both word and data processing programs. This transfer has revolutionised not only the analytical potential of the material, but the follow up of all patients, both old and new. The system is applicable to many other tumours and diseases.

Computers↗
PubMed1984

Immunophenotypic characterization of acute leukemia by immunocytology.

The potential for specific immunophenotypic characterization of the acute leukemias has been enhanced greatly by the development of monoclonal antibodies. Currently, this immunologic data is obtained most commonly by flow cytometric analysis or cellular cytotoxicity assays. The former is an expensive technic that lacks morphologic evaluation unless cell sorting is performed. The latter precludes morphologic assessment by the nature of the assay. The authors have developed an immunostaining procedure utilizing cytospin preparations and immunoperoxidase methods that are relatively inexpensive and allow simultaneous assessment of the immunologic markers and cellular morphology. Although a comparison of flow cytometry and immunocytology revealed quantitative differences for individual cell surface markers, the "qualitative" immunologic phenotype of the leukemic population was virtually identical by the two technics.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1984

Production of a monospecific antiserum against the early region 1A proteins of adenovirus 12 and adenovirus 5 by an adenovirus 12 early region 1A-beta-galactosidase fusion protein antigen expressed in bacteria.

Antisera were prepared against the amino acid sequences encoded within the N-terminal half of the adenovirus 12 (Ad12) early region 1A (E1A) gene. This was accomplished by construction of a plasmid vector which encoded the N-terminal 131 amino acids of Ad12 E1A joined in frame to the coding sequence of beta-galactosidase. After induced synthesis in Escherichia coli, the Ad12 E1A-beta-galactosidase fusion protein (12-1A-FP) was extracted with urea and used to raise antibodies in rabbits. The 12-1A-FP antisera immunoprecipitated major phosphoproteins of 39,000 and 37,000 apparent molecular weights from Ad12-transformed and infected cells. The 12-1A-FP antisera also immunoprecipitated E1A phosphoproteins from Ad5-transformed and infected cells. Immunospecificity of the 12-1A-FP antisera was demonstrated by the ability of 12-1A-FP antigen to block immunoprecipitation of E1A proteins. Furthermore, E1A proteins immunoprecipitated from in vivo-labeled cells comigrated with those translated in vitro by RNA that had been hybridization selected to E1A DNA.

Adenoviruses, Human↗
PubMed1983

Prolonged second remissions in childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia: a report from the Childrens Cancer Study Group.

To date, median duration of second and subsequent remissions in childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) has been short, with most studies reporting median remission duration less than 6 months. In May 1979, the Childrens Cancer Study Group (CCSG) undertook a pilot study to assess the efficacy of a vincristine, methotrexate, and L-asparaginase regimen (modified Capizzi) for maintenance in children with ALL in second or subsequent remission. Thirty patients were treated with this maintenance regimen. By life table analysis, predicted median duration of hematologic remission was 57 weeks. Ten patients (33%) were in continuous hematologic remission at 1 year and three (10%) continue in remission greater than 2 years from maintenance onset. Major toxicity included leukoencephalopathy in four patients, three of whom had experienced at least one central nervous system relapse prior to study entry. Allergic reactions to Escherichia coli L-asparaginase were common. Nine of 30 patients experienced at least one CNS relapse during therapy. We conclude that a modified Capizzi regimen is the most effective regimen reported to date for maintaining second and subsequent remission in childhood ALL. CCSG is currently utilizing this regimen in an ongoing open study.

Asparaginase↗
PubMed1982

Practical use of a word processor in a histopathology laboratory.

Some of the facilities available with a commercially purchased word processing program, linked to a DEC PDP 11/23 computer are described, together with an account of the practical histopathological use. The system is based on a share of the computer with a Clinical Chemistry Department. Development was time-consuming and required the constant availability of the Department of Physics. However, once working, considerable saving in secretarial time has resulted and a number of projects have been started which would not have been contemplated without the use of the word processor and its linked computer.

Computers↗