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Biomedical subjects

L Rao

Publications and source records attributed to L Rao.

52 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Postabortal endometritis and isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis.

A prospective study of 505 unselected women presenting for induced abortion was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and to determine if cervical isolation of C trachomatis before abortion increases the risk of postabortal endometritis. A comparison of direct fluorescent antibody (slide) test with tissue culture for diagnosing C trachomatis infection also was evaluated in this population. C trachomatis was identified by culture in 89 patients (17.6%) and by direct slide test in 85 patients (16.8%). Six of 17 patients with postabortal endometritis were culture positive for C trachomatis, with a significant correlation between C trachomatis infection and development of endometritis observed (P less than .05). These data suggest C trachomatis may play an important role in postabortal endometritis.

Abortion, Induced↗

Sugar uptake into a primary culture of dog kidney proximal tubular cells.

We describe the functional characteristics of a new primary culture system derived from a suspension of dog proximal tubular cells. The culture system is maintained on alpha minimal essential medium with 15% fetal calf serum supplementation. At confluency the cultured cells demonstrate the following: (i) typical epithelial morphology using light microscopy, with multiple dome formation inhibited by ouabain; (ii) strong binding with a polyclonal antibody directed against dog proximal tubular brush border membrane antigens; (iii) high concentration of alkaline phosphatase activity by histochemical staining; and (iv) 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D3)-24-hydroxylase activity. Sugar transport was assessed using alpha-methyl-D-glucopyranoside (alpha MG), a nonmetabolizable analog of D-glucose, as well as L-glucose, and 3-O-methyl-D-glucose (3OMG). The transport of alpha MG was stereospecific; temperature sensitive; inhibited strongly by phlorizin but not by cytochalasin B, phloretin, or 3OMG; and Na dependent. The transport of 3OMG is stereospecific, temperature sensitive, and inhibited strongly by phloretin and cytochalasin B, but not by phlorizin. Despite the apparent heterogeneity of cell type, this primary culture system exhibits many features of normal dog proximal tubule function.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Amino acid sequence of penicillopepsin. II. Isolation and characterization of thermolytic peptides.

The determination of the amino acid sequences of 70 peptides obtained from a thermolytic digest of penicillopepsin (EC 3.4.23.7) is described. Fifty-six unique sequences ranging from 2 to 13 amino acids were compiled. Among these was a heptapeptide whose sequence is nearly identical with that of the epoxide-reactive active site peptide of porcine pepsin (EC 3.4.23.1). Considering unrecognized overlaps, a minimum of 272 and a maximum of 293 unique amino acids have been obtained. They account for about 90% of the amino acids of the enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Amino acid sequence of penicillopepsin. III. Isolation and characterization of amino terminal, tryptic, and tryptophanyl peptides.

The amino acid sequence of peptides isolated from a tryptic digest of penicillopepsin (EC 3.4.23.7), a subtilisin (EC 3.4.21.14) digest of maleylated penicillopepsin, and a chymotryptic digest of penicillopepsin modified with dinitrophenylsulfenyl (DNPS) chloride have been determined. The first two digests identified four of the five lysyl residues of the enzyme as well as the N-terminal peptide. The third digest provided overlaps at three of the tryptophanyl residues. The DNPS-tryptophan peptides were isolated on an affinity column prepared by coupling dinitrophenyl antibody raised in sheep to cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Amino acid sequence of penicillopepsin. IV. Myxobacter AL-1 protease II and Staphylococcus aureus protease fragments and homology with pig pepsin and chymosin.

The digest of penicillopepsin (EC 3.4.23.7) with protease II from Myxobacter AL-1 gave five fragments which were separated on a Biogel P-100 column in 70% formic acid. The fragments were from 16 to 125 amino acids long. Two fragments were also isolated from a digest with a protease from Staphylococcus aureus. The analysis of these fragments by automatic sequencer gave a number of overlaps of the chymotryptic and thermolytic peptides. The available amino acid sequence data for penicillopepsin described in this paper and the accompanying papers (Kurosky, A. and Hofmann, T.:Can. J. Biochem. 54, 872 (1976);Rao, L and Hofmann, T.:Can. J. Biochem.54,885 (1976); Harris, C.I.,Rao, L., Shutsa, P., Kurosky, A. and Hofmann, T.: Can. J. Biochem. 54,895 (1976) have been combined and yield 15 fragments which range in lengths from 3 to 112 amino acid residues. These unique fragments account for virtually all the amino acids of the fungal protease. Four of the fragments with a total of 194 residues (about 60% of the molecule) have been aligned with corresponding sections of pig pepsin (EC 3.4.23.1) and with part of the N-terminal sequence available for calf chymosin (EC 3.4.23.4). In the alignments about 37% of the residues in the fungal enzyme are identical with at least one of the mammalian enzymes. An additional 20% are chemically similar. These results, together with previously reported active site directed modifications, show conclusively that penicillopepsin is an evolutionary homologue of the mammalian acid proteases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Granulocytic sarcoma of the head and neck: a case report.

A rare case of granulocytic sarcoma of the head and neck region is presented to highlight its unusual clinical presentation and the difficulties encountered in its diagnosis. The risk factors, pathological findings, and treatment modalities are discussed to make head and neck surgeons aware of this condition, which can have a fatal outcome as happened in our case.

Adult↗

Use of extrafascially harvested radial artery for coronary artery revascularization: technical considerations.

BACKGROUND: The use of the radial artery for coronary artery revascularization was abandoned due to its tendency for spasm; the revival was attributed to improved harvesting technique as well as the use of calcium channel blockers. METHODS: Between February 1996 and June 1997, the radial artery graft was used in 77 of 89 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Only the patients with positive Allen's test or forearm deformity were denied the use of the radial artery. We used an extrafascial, no-touch technique using low-strength electrocautery for harvesting the radial artery. Calcium channel blockers were not used in any of these patients. RESULTS: There were no early deaths. No patient sustained perioperative myocardial infarction or required intra-aortic balloon pump. Only one patient required inotropic agents. Three noncardiac late deaths occurred during the follow-up of 6 to 24 months. No early or late ischemic or functional forearm disability was reported in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The radial artery is easy to harvest and safe to use routinely. When harvested extrafascially, diltiazem infusion may not be necessary. Maximal arterial-global revascularization using the left internal thoracic artery-to-left anterior descending coronary artery and radial artery-to-circumflex artery system may improve the early and long-term results.

Adult↗

Infantile cartilaginous hamartoma of the rib. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Infantile cartilaginous hamartoma of the rib is a rare condition occurring in newborn infants, with an incidence of 1 in 3,000 (0.03%) among primary bone tumor cases. Reports of this condition so far have presented the clinical, radiologic and histopathologic features. To the best of our knowledge, reports of the cytopathologic features have not been documented. In the present case report, clinical, radiologic and cytopathologic features and differential diagnosis are enumerated. CASE: A 1-month-old, male infant presented with a chest wall mass with a clinical diagnosis of osteochondroma. On fine needle aspiration cytology, a diagnosis of infantile cartilaginous hamartoma of the rib was suggested; it was supplemented by the clinical history and radiologic findings. CONCLUSION: Although rare, this condition ought to be kept in mind while dealing with infantile chest wall masses to avoid an erroneous diagnosis of malignancy, owing to its ominous cytopathologic features.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Presidential address.

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Ambulatory Care Facilities↗

Conscious sedation for minor gynecologic surgery in the ambulatory patient. A pilot study.

A conscious sedation regimen consisting of alphaprodine, hydroxyzine, and methohexital together with intensive behavior modification was evaluated in an open pilot study for patients undergoing minor gynecologic surgery. This combination was found to result in hemodynamic stability, satisfactory patient compliance, and patient and surgeon acceptance. Patients were unable to recognize words taught to them just after drugs were administered.Electroencephalogram (EEG) changes seen in general anesthesia or deep sedation were not found in the EEG records of a subset of patients. These findings suggest that conscious sedation can provide adequate relief of pain and anxiety for minor gynecologic procedures when local anesthesia can achieve only partial pain relief.

Adult↗