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Biomedical subjects

K Dahlin

Publications and source records attributed to K Dahlin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Fibrin glue for securing the mesh in laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair: a study with a 40-month prospective follow-up period.

BACKGROUND: Anchoring the mesh in laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal groin hernia repair (TEP) with human fibrin glue has theoretical advantages. However, these have been supported and reported previously only in animal studies. Before the initiation of large patient trials, the authors wanted to confirm the feasibility, assess the costs, and rule out any flagrant short- and long-term adverse effects of fibrin glue usage in a small series of patients. METHODS: Nine consecutive TEP repairs with fibrin glue mesh fixation were performed. The perioperative and postoperative outcomes at 1, 16, and 40 months were compared with those for a control group of 96 stapled repairs. RESULTS: Gluing was easy and is less expensive than stapling. No fibrin glue-related adverse effects were found. The overall outcome was similar to that for stapled repairs, with no indication that the glued repairs were inferior. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrin glue seems to be a reasonable, feasible, and maybe even competitive alternative to the standard tissue-penetrating mesh fixation. The results of this study justify launching larger trials.

Aged↗

Characterization of a silicon transporter gene family in Cylindrotheca fusiformis: sequences, expression analysis, and identification of homologs in other diatoms.

The transport of silicon is an integral part of the synthesis of the silicified cell wall of diatoms, yet knowledge of the number, features, and regulation of silicon transporters is lacking. We report the isolation and sequence determination of five silicon transporter (SIT) genes from Cylindrotheca fusiformis, and examine their expression patterns during cell wall synthesis. The encoded SIT amino acid sequences are highly conserved in their putative transmembrane domains. Nine conserved cysteines in this domain may account for the sensitivity of silicon uptake to sulfhydryl blocking agents. A less conserved C-terminal domain is predicted to form coiled-coil structures, suggesting that the SITs interact with other proteins. We show that SIT gene expression is induced just prior to, and during, cell wall synthesis. The genes are expressed at very different levels, and SIT1 is expressed in a different pattern from SIT 2-5. Hybridization experiments show that multiple SIT gene copies are present in all diatom species tested. From the data we infer that individual transporters play specific roles in silicon uptake, and propose that the cell regulates uptake by controlling the amount or location of each. The identification of all SIT genes in C. fusiformis will enhance our understanding of the mechanism and control of silicon transport in diatoms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interaction of the NG2 chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan with type VI collagen.

The NG2 chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan is a membrane-associated molecule of approximately 500 kD with a core glycoprotein of 300 kD. Both the complete proteoglycan and a smaller quantity of the 300-kD core are immunoprecipitable with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against purified NG2. From some cell lines, the antibodies coprecipitate NG2 and type VI collagen, the latter appearing on SDS-PAGE as components of 140 and 250 kD under reducing conditions. The immunoprecipitation of type VI collagen does not seem to be due to recognition of the collagen by the antibodies, but rather to binding of the collagen to NG2. Studies on the NG2-type VI collagen complex suggest that binding between the two molecules is mediated by protein-protein interactions rather than by ionic interactions involving the glycosaminoglycans. Immunofluorescence double labeling in frozen sections of embryonic rat shows that NG2 and type VI collagen are colocalized in structures such as the intervertebral discs and arteries of the spinal column. In vitro the two molecules are highly colocalized on the surface of several cell lines. Treatment of these cells resulting in a change in the distribution of NG2 on the cell surface also causes a parallel change in type VI collagen distribution. Our results suggest that cell surface NG2 may mediate cellular interactions with the extracellular matrix by binding to type VI collagen.

Animals↗

Measurement of systolic blood pressure in fingers of newborn infants.

The systolic blood pressure in the index finger was measured using a minicuff and a strain gauge both placed around the finger. 122 measurements in four newborn infants were performed during monitoring in an incubator and the systolic blood pressure values obtained were compared with the simultaneously recorded intra-arterial blood pressure in the aorta. Good correlation between direct and indirect pressure values was found. An important advantage is that the measurements do not arouse the infants nor disturb their sleep. The procedure seems suited for further technical development and automatic measurements.

Blood Pressure↗