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Biomedical subjects

M Hall

Publications and source records attributed to M Hall.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

Necrotizing fasciitis: the Howard University Hospital experience.

All surgical cases from 1965 to 1980 and autopsy cases from 1974 to 1980 diagnosed at Howard University Hospital as necrotizing fasciitis (NF) were reviewed. Eight patient fulfilled the criteria for NF, which included (1) fascial necrosis, (2) spreading cellulitis with undermining of fascial planes, and (3) systemic toxicity as evidenced by altered mental state and hyperthermia. Bacteroides fragilis was commonly found in our most recent cases. Poor prognostic signs included (1) documented bacteremia, (2) preoperative hypotension (systolic blood pressure lower than 80 mmHg), and (3) hypocalcemia (serum calcium less than 7.0 mg/dL). Therapy consisted of wide debridement with systemic antibiotics and delayed skin grafting when needed.

Aged↗

Analysis of human cytomegalovirus nucleoprotein complexes.

When chromatin was isolated from cells infected with human cytomegalovirus, the virus DNA remained with the chromatin fraction. If deproteinized virus DNA was added to either isolated nuclei or chromatin, the DNA was lost during the chromatin isolation. When isolated chromatin from cytomegalovirus-infected cells was banded in isopycnic metrizamide gradients, a single peak with a density of 1.18 g/cm3 was present. Analysis of this peak in isopycnic neutral CsCl gradients indicated that it contained both human cytomegalovirus and human embryonic lung cell DNAs. When infected nuclei were treated with micrococcal nuclease, 11S subunit particles which cosedimented with cell nucleosomes and contained virus DNA were isolated.

Chromatin↗

A co-operative study on the clinical value of dynamic renal scanning with deconvolution analysis.

An international project was set up to study the clinical usefulness of intrarenal transit times derived from the renogram by deconvolution. A common data sheet, to collect clinical, biochemical, radiological and isotopic information, was completed by the centres. Five hundred and ninety-one patients were studied and the results analysed. The mean transit time (MTT) in normal kidneys was found to be 3.6 +/- 1.1 min. If the MTT is greater than 7.6 min, a kidney is likely to be obstructed. In vesico-ureteric reflux, the transit times are prolonged, but they are normal in infection, hypertension, parenchymal disease and minimally irradiated kidneys. In transplantation, when the kidney is normal, the transit times are shorter than in the natural kidney; in acute rejection, transit time are prolonged.

Adult↗

A procedure for the purification of somatotrophs isolated from rat anterior pituitary glands using Percoll density gradients.

We have used fractionation on density gradients of Percoll to separate the cell types in the rat anterior pituitary gland and to produce a purified preparation of somatotrophs. The method differs from those described previously which used, for example, albumin or Ficoll gradients, in being more rapid and avoiding low temperatures, and therefore gives cells with improved viability. Anterior pituitary glands from male rats were dispersed with trypsin to produce 1.5 x 10 (6) -2.0 x 10 (6) cells/gland. These were fractionated on hyperbolic density gradients of Percoll. Two bands of cells containing somatotrophs were detected, one of which (band A; density 1.075-1.082 g/cm3) contained approximately 90% somatotrophs, whereas the other (band B; density 1.055-1.068 g/cm3) contained about 70% somatotrophs mixed with other cells, especially lactotrophs. Cells in band A appeared more responsive to secretagogues than those in band B; growth hormone secretion was stimulated markedly by cyclic AMP derivatives and prostaglandin E2, and inhibited by somatostatin. Such purified somatotrophs are well suited to biochemical studies on the mechanism of the control of growth hormone secretion.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Genetic approaches to study export of LamB to the outer membrane.

We are studying the molecular mechanism of cellular protein localization. The availability of genetic techniques, such as gene fusion in Escherichia coli, has made this subject particularly amenable to study in this prokaryote. We have constructed a variety of strains in which the gene coding for an outer membrane protein is fused to the gene coding for a normally cytoplasmic enzyme, beta-galactosidase. The hybrid protein produced by such strains retain beta-galactosidase activity; this activity serves as a simple biochemical tag for studying the localization of the outer membrane protein. In addition, we have exploited phenotypes exhibited by certain fusion strains to isolate mutants that are altered in the process of protein export. Genetic and biochemical analyses of such mutants have provided important insights into the mechanism of protein localization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of water supplementation on physiological jaundice in breast-fed babies.

The effect of water supplementation in normal, term, breast-fed babies with physiological jaundice was studied. Water supplementation was given to 120 babies and 55 received no extra fluids. There was no significant difference between the two groups when peak serum bilirubin levels and incidence of phototherapy were compared.

Bilirubin↗

A signal sequence is not sufficient to lead beta-galactosidase out of the cytoplasm.

Escherichia coli strains have been constructed in which lacZ, the gene for the cytoplasmic enzyme beta-galactosidase, is fused to lamB, the gene for an outer membrane protein. One such strain produces a beta-galactosidase which remains cytoplasmic even though it possesses the complete signal sequence of the lamB protein precursor at the amino-terminal end.

Amino Acid Sequence↗