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Biomedical subjects

J Betts

Publications and source records attributed to J Betts.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Surgical management of reflux strictures of the esophagus in childhood.

The etiology of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in infancy is related to developmental factors, and there is a high incidence of associated conditions such as neurologic syndromes and esophageal atresia (60%). This is different from the situation in adults. Experience with 18 consecutive children with peptic esophageal strictures is reviewed to determine if conservative surgical management is effective. Eighteen children 14 months to 13 years (mean 6.3 years) of age took an average of 3.5 years from the time of onset of symptoms of GER to develop tight strictures diagnosed by esophagography and esophagoscopy. The incidence of stricture in patients with GER was approximately 15%. Preoperative dilation or direct surgical management prior to correction of reflux is ineffective. All 18 children were managed by intraoperative dilatation, Nissen fundoplication, and guided dilatation after operation. More aggressive surgical procedures were not required nor were associated operations such as pyloroplasty; they are rarely necessary. An average three-year follow-up indicates that this conservative surgical approach is effective in the management of peptic esophageal strictures in childhood with relief of symptoms and gratifying improvement in growth.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1969

Biosynthesis of amino sugars by Pseudomonas saccharophila.

Pseudomonas saccharophila growing on specifically labeled glucose incorporated isotope into cell wall glucosamine and muramic acid with less than 5% randomization of carbons. Glucosamine contained isotope in both the 1 and 6 positions when cells were grown on either galactose-6-(14)C or gluconate-6-(14)C. With galactose-1-(14)C, only muramic acid was labeled. Specific activities of the carboxyl group of muramic acid obtained from the glucose-grown cells did not indicate whether the origin of the side chain of muramic acid is pyruvate or phosphoenolpyruvate. However, the high specific activity obtained from galactose-1-(14)C suggested that induced cells preferentially incorporate C-1 of galactose into the side chain of muramic acid. Addition of unlabeled glucosamine to growing cultures repressed incorporation of substrate isotope into glucosamine, but muramic acid contained activity in the lactyl side chain.

Amino Sugars↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Alternative methods of attenuating Salmonella species for potential vaccine use.

Because of their invasive properties, Salmonella species are uniquely suited for use as live oral vaccines, and mutants attenuated in general metabolic functions show promise as vaccine strains. We have identified a Salmonella choleraesuis transposon mutant which is deficient in abilities to attach to, invade or penetrate through animal cells. This mutant is avirulent in mice, yet is able to persist within the liver, spleen and gut-associated lymphoid tissue for periods which may be adequate for induction of secretory, humoral and cell-mediated immunity. This and other strains attenuated in factors specifically required for Salmonella pathogenesis may have potential as vaccine strains.

Animals↗