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Biomedical subjects

M Rhodes

Publications and source records attributed to M Rhodes.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

High-throughput microsatellite analysis using fluorescent dUTPs for high-resolution genetic mapping of the mouse genome.

The use of fluorescent end-labeled primers has proved successful for rapid, semiautomated genotyping of microsatellite loci. However, custom synthesis is expensive and costs can be prohibitive when a wide range of markers is to be analyzed for only a few genotypings. This particularly applies to high-resolution genetic mapping in the mouse either in the construction of global maps or in the production of local high-resolution genetic maps for positional cloning. We demonstrate here the use of fluorescent dUTPs for cost-effective, high-throughput microsatellite genotyping in the mouse. This alternative to the use of fluorescent end-labeled primers for semiautomated genotyping is potentially applicable to the construction of linkage maps in other species.

Animals↗

A preliminary study on the effect of germination on saponin content and composition of lentils and chick peas.

Two cultivars of chick peas (Cicer arietinum) and one cultivar of lentils (Lens culinaris) were subjected to germination in the dark for 6 days at 20 degrees C. Soyasaponin VI, also known as soyasaponin beta g, a DDMP- (2,3-dihydro-2,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one-) conjugated form of soyasaponin I, was the only saponin detected in both the unprocessed and germinated seed. No significant changes in saponin content were observed for chick peas or lentils after a 6-day germination.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗

Laparoscopic-assisted colorectal surgery. Lessons learned from 240 consecutive patients.

PURPOSE: To audit the development and outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal surgery at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. METHODS: Since July 1991, laparoscopic-assisted colectomy for benign and malignant colorectal disease has been performed on more than 300 patients at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. This paper summarizes the outcome for the first 240 patients who underwent a laparoscopic colorectal procedure. All laparoscopic data were collected prospectively, and for selected studies, data were compared with open surgical controls. RESULTS: Nineteen patients required open conversion (7.9 percent). There was a significant decrease in wound infection rates in patients having a laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (3.6 percent) compared with historical controls (7.9 percent) (P < 0.05; chi-squared). There were five anastomotic leaks, five laparotomies for postoperative adhesive obstruction, and four perioperative deaths. A total of 103 patients had a procedure for colorectal cancer. Of the 79 potentially curative procedures, there have been 5 (6.3 percent) recurrences to date. CONCLUSION: The overall morbidity and mortality in this series seem to be acceptable compared with that of open procedures.

Colonic Diseases↗

Defining "dead on arrival": impact on a level I trauma center.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the potential impact of defining criteria for "dead on arrival" (DOA) on a Level I trauma center. METHODS: From 1990 to 1994, trauma patients having cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed by certified prehospital personnel were reviewed for time of CPR, outcome, and costs to determine whether any benefit would have been realized had DOA criteria been followed. RESULTS: A total of 106 patients had prehospital CPR; 20 did not meet DOA criteria and underwent resuscitation, three survived (15%). Eighty-six patients met DOA criteria; 16 were pronounced dead without further resuscitative efforts (in-hospital costs of $200/patient), while 70 (81%) had continued resuscitation with no survivors (in-hospital costs of $4150/patient). The positive predictive value for criteria was 100%. Had criteria been implemented, total cost savings over the 5-year period would have been $290,000. CONCLUSIONS: National DOA criteria could dramatically reduce the burden on trauma centers with an estimated minimum annual savings of $14 million.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication--200 consecutive cases.

PATIENTS: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication was undertaken in 200 patients between 1991 and 1994. METHODS: Pre-operative assessment included symptom score, endoscopy, manometry, and 24 hour pH monitoring of the oesophagus. Patients were evaluated at three and 12 months after surgery with symptom scoring and 96 patients also underwent 24 hour pH studies at three to six months postoperatively. RESULTS: In the first 100 patients median duration of operation was 155 minutes (range: 70-330), conversion rate to laparotomy was 7%, median hospital stay was three days (range: 2-57), and total morbidity was 16%. This compared with a median operation time of 120 minutes (60-240) (p = 0.0003, 95% CI 10, 40), a conversion rate of 2% (p = 0.2), a hospital stay of three days (1-18) (p = 0.0016, 95% CI 0, 1), and total morbidity of 7% (p = 0.15) in the second 100 patients. Median total symptom scores fell from 5/9 to 0/9 after fundoplication (< 0.0001) while median 24 hour oesophageal acid exposure in 96 patients was reduced from 10% to 1% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is a safe and effective procedure for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. With experience, the duration of operation falls and the hospital stay is shorter. Shortterm symptomatic and pH results are consistently improved by surgery.

Adolescent↗

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, tattooing and bizarre sexual practices.

BACKGROUND: A case is presented describing an association between obsessive-compulsive disorder, tattooing and unusual sexual practices. METHOD: A single case report. CONCLUSIONS: Tattooing and unusual sexual practices are compulsive behaviours associated with the subject's obsessive-compulsive disorder. Such associations have not previously been described in the literature.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic anterior resection: a consecutive series of 84 patients.

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is in its infancy. From a series of over 200 colorectal procedures undertaken over the last 30 months, we have performed 84 anterior resections. In 55 women and 29 men, median age 64 years (range 32-86), median weight 72 kg (range 36-125), surgery was undertaken for benign pathology (n = 57) and adenocarcinoma (n = 27). Anterior resection was completed laparoscopically in 75 cases (89%) with a median operating time of 210 min (range 85-420). Minor morbidity occurred in 17 patients (20%) with major morbidity in 10 cases (12%). There was one post-operative death. Flatus was passed a median of two days (range 1-7) after surgery and feces at a median of four days (range 2-9). Total hospital stay was six days (range 2-33). Delayed morbidity during a maximum of 30 months' follow-up included two anastomotic strictures but no evidence of malignant seeding. Laparoscopic anterior resection appears both feasible and safe for both benign and malignant disease, with the caveat that long-term outcome in malignant disease is not yet available.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic choledochoduodenostomy.

Choledochoduodenostomy is less often performed since the advent of ERCP and endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES). It may, however, still prove necessary in patients where ERCP and ES fail to provide long-term biliary drainage or when CBD stones recur after ES. We have performed laparoscopic choledochoduodenostomy in two patients (aged 66 and 71 years). Surgery was performed in one patient for recurrent CBD stones 25 years after cholecystectomy where three attempts at ERCP failed to cannulate the CBD. In the second patient it was performed for recurrent CBD stones 16 years after cholecystectomy and after two previous endoscopic sphincterotomies. Surgery was completed in just over 3 h in both cases and postoperative stay was 4 days. Laparoscopic choledochoduodenostomy is a viable technique which may prove valuable in the management of patients in whom ERCP and ES has failed to provide long-term biliary drainage.

Aged↗

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and postoperative dysphagia-can it be predicted?

Temporary swallowing difficulty has been reported in up to 100% of patients after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux, but the long-term prevalence of dysphagia is not known. If reliable predictors of persistent postoperative dysphagia exist, their identification may permit tailoring of the fundoplication for specific cases at risk. Of 475 consecutive cases of laparoscopic fundoplication, 202 have undergone detailed symptom scoring at 1 year postoperatively. In each case, a short, 360 degrees loose wrap was constructed over an intra-oesophageal bougie, and short gastric vessels were divided when insufficient fundal mobility was encountered. At one year postoperatively, 24% complained of grade 1 dysphagia (intermittent sensation of food sticking), 9% of grade 2 (food sticking requiring liquids to clear) and 1 patient had regular dysphagia for solids (grade 3). Gender, preoperative complaint of dysphagia, endoscopic grade of oesophagitis, oesophageal motility, lower oesophageal sphincter pressure, and division of short gastric vessels were reviewed in relation to dysphagia. Dysphagia is common after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, but is less prevalent than before operation. It is usually mild, intermittent and improves with time. Those with division of short gastric vessels had a reduced risk of postoperative dysphagia.

Adolescent↗

Chromosomal location of murine protein tyrosine phosphatase (Ptprj and Ptpre) genes.

It is now widely accepted that protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) play important or even critical roles in cell growth, differentiation, and development. Our recent experiments suggested that specific PTPases, PTP beta 2 and PTP epsilon, are involved in the early molecular events for in vitro differentiation of mouse erythroleukemia (MEL) as well as embryonic carcinoma (F9) cells. Using mouse cDNA for PTP beta 2 and PTP epsilon, which we have cloned recently, we attempted to locate the genes to mouse chromosomes. Interspecific backcross analysis indicated that the gene for PTP beta 2, Ptprj, is located in the middle region of chromosome 2, and the gene for PTP epsilon, Ptpre, was mapped in the vicinity of the imprinted regions in the distal part of chromosome 7. Possible biological roles of these PTPases are discussed.

Alleles↗

Identification and chromosomal mapping of a third mouse runt-like locus.

The Drosophila runt gene, which controls early events in embryogenesis, has been shown to have homologues in human and mouse. The human gene on 21q22 is involved in the t(8;21) associated with acute myeloid leukemia. Two mouse runt-like loci encoding DNA-binding proteins have been identified. We report here the isolation and partial sequence of a molecular clone of a third mouse runt-like locus. By using a panel of somatic cell hybrids and interspecific backcross mice, we map the novel locus to the telomeric region of mouse chromosome 4.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Laparoscopic exploration of the common bile duct: lessons learned from 129 consecutive cases.

Since the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy there has been widespread debate about the best way to manage common bile duct (CBD) calculi. Between August 1991 and July 1994, 129 patients underwent laparoscopic exploration of the CBD. Fifteen patients of median age 52 years were managed by glucagon-induced relaxation of the sphincter of Oddi and saline flushing of the bile duct through a cholangiogram catheter. This had a success rate of 73 per cent and took a median of 90 min including cholecystectomy. The technique has now been replaced by Dormia basket exploration of the CBD. Transcystic common duct exploration using a Dormia basket was used in 79 patients of median age 47 years. Duct clearance was achieved in 96 per cent of cases with a median operating time of 55 min. Thirty-five patients of median age 52 years were managed by choledochotomy and T tube placement, with a 91 per cent duct clearance rate and a median operating time of 120 min. Overall duct clearance was achieved in 92 per cent of patients with an operative morbidity rate of 5.4 per cent. Duct clearance using either a Dormia basket or choledochotomy and T tube placement was obtained in 95 per cent of patients. Laparoscopic exploration of the CBD is an important alternative in the management of common duct calculi.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic antegrade biliary stenting.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration is successful in 90% of patients, but 10% of patients may have retained stones or impaired biliary drainage at the end of surgery. This study presents the results of laparoscopic biliary stenting in three such patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three patients with choledocholithiasis, aged 51, 82, and 100 were treated by laparoscopic antegrade placement of biliary stent. RESULTS: Biliary drainage was established in all three cases. Follow-up at six months revealed all patients to be asymptomatic, with two aged 82 and 101 with the stents still in place. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic antegrade biliary stenting deserves consideration when the surgeon encounters impaired biliary drainage after laparoscopic exploration of the common bile duct.

Aged↗

Laparoscopic splenectomy and lymph node biopsy for hematologic disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The authors audit the introduction of laparoscopic splenectomy and laparoscopic intra-abdominal lymph node biopsy and compare outcomes with a parallel cohort of patients undergoing open splenectomy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Laparoscopic splenectomy was first reported in 1992. It was introduced into clinical practice at the Royal Brisbane Hospital in 1991. Between June 1991 and March 1994, 24 patients have undergone laparoscopic splenectomies and 23 patients have had laparoscopic intra-abdominal lymph node biopsies. METHODS: Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed using a four- or five-port technique. The splenic hilum was secured using a linear stapler cutter, and the spleen was removed after placing it in a laparoscopic bag. Lymph node biopsy was performed using a three- or four-port technique, depending on the site and size of the lymphadenopathy. RESULTS: Laparoscopic splenectomy was completed in 22 patients (92%). Median hospital stay was 3 days (range 2-7 days) and morbidity occurred in two patients (8%). Lymph node biopsy was completed laparoscopically in 21 of 23 patients (91%), with morbidity in two cases (9%). Median hospital stay was 2 days (range 1-6 days), with a diagnostic accuracy of 90%. Comparison with open splenectomy revealed that the laparoscopic approach took significantly longer to perform (p = 0.0002), but resulted in a significantly shorter hospital stay (p = 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: Both laparoscopic splenectomy and laparoscopic lymph node biopsy currently are used as the treatments of choice for hematologic disease in our institution.

Adolescent↗