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Biomedical subjects

R Holmes

Publications and source records attributed to R Holmes.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Mood and pulmonary function in adult asthmatics: a pilot self-monitoring study.

The relationship between mood and fluctuations in peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) was studied in seven mildly asthmatic adult men and seven non-asthmatic controls. Participants completed visual analogue mood scales and measured PEF four times per day for 24 days, and the Profile of Mood States was also filled in at the end of each day. Significant correlations between mood and PEF were found in six of the asthmatics. No specific asthma-related profile was identified, since each person showed idiosyncratic associations between mood and pulmonary function. The non-asthmatics did not show consistent correlations above a level expected by chance. Possible explanations of these results and their relevance to the management of asthma are discussed.

Adolescent↗

A unique pattern of central nervous system leukemia in acute myelomonocytic leukemia associated with inv(16)(p13q22).

Twenty-six patients with inv(16)(p13q22) or del(16)(q22) in association with acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AMML-M4, FAB classification), and abnormal marrow eosinophils have been treated at this institute. Initial bone marrow eosinophilia (greater than or equal to 4%) was observed in 22 of 26 patients (85%), and abnormal eosinophil morphology, characterized by immature cells with some interspersed basophilic granules, was evident in 26 of 26 (100%). Giemsa-banded chromosome analysis performed in all patients revealed 16 cases with inv(16)(p13q22) alone, and ten cases with additional chromosome changes. Twenty-five patients received combination induction chemotherapy, and 23 (92%) achieved complete remission (CR). The median duration of remission was 18 months (range, six to 72 + months), and the median duration of survival was 34 months (range, 0.5 to 133 months). Nine patients (35%) relapsed in the CNS at a median time of 19 months (range, six to 133 months) from first marrow CR. All patients had leptomeningeal disease, and in addition, six of nine (66%) demonstrated two or more enhancing lesions on computed tomography brain scan, consistent with intracerebral myeloblastomas. Review of 384 Giemsa-banded patients with acute myeloid leukemia revealed no other morphologic or cytogenetic subgroup with either an equivalent incidence of CNS leukemia or documented intracerebral myeloblastomas. This series of inv(16)(p13q22)/del(16)(q22) AMML reports a favorable prognosis for such patients and associates a specific clonal cytogenetic subgroup of acute leukemia with a distinct propensity for CNS relapse, manifesting as leptomeningeal disease and intracerebral myeloblastomas.

Adult↗

A coralline hydroxyapatite bone graft substitute. Preliminary report.

Experimental histologic and biomechanical studies were performed in 52 dogs by use of a bone substitute composed of hydroxyapatite converted from sea coral calcite. The results demonstrate some potentially useful practical applications. The material was totally incorporated in bone. Although initially too weak to tolerate physiologic stresses, once incorporated it becomes almost as strong as the native bone. Clinical experience with internal fixation of fractures with hydroxyapatite in 18 patients is encouraging.

Adult↗

A serum-free, chemically-defined medium for function and growth of primary neonatal rat heart cell cultures.

A serum-free, chemically defined medium for supporting rhythmic contraction, maximum survival, and moderate growth of cardiac cells was achieved by using a combination of hormones and growth supplements in a mixture of equal volumes of Ham's F12 and Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. The hormones and growth supplements included insulin, transferrin, selenium, fetuin, bovine serum albumin, hydrocortisone (HC), L-thyroxine (T4), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Cardiac cells were grown on fibronectin-precoated plates using the above serum-free medium. Cells grown in this medium exhibited a higher beating rate and were maintained for a longer time compared to those cells grown in serum. The effects of T4, EGF, and HC on beating rate and survival time of both cultures of mixed cell population and enriched myoblast cell population were studied. In the enriched myoblast cell cultures grown in serum-supplemented medium, the beating rate ranged from 40 to 200 beats/min, and these cultures survived for 30 d. When these enriched cell cultures were grown in serum-free hormone-supplemented medium, the beating rate ranged from 190 to 240 beats/min, and these cultures survived for more than 90 d. These results show that some hormones affect growth, whereas others affect function.

Animals↗

On the synthesis and incorporation of catalase and urate oxidase into the peroxisomes of mouse liver.

The processes associated with the biogenesis of peroxisomes in mouse liver have been studied by following the incorporation of radiolabelled leucine into major enzymic components of this organelle. Maximal incorporation of label into peroxisomal catalase and urate oxidase occurred within 2 hr, with the urate oxidase being labelled before catalase, but subsequent to the incorporation of phospholipid into this organelle. Subsequently, immunoprecipitation of catalase from the large granular fraction of mouse liver was shown to result in the isolation of a catalase molecule which had lost a peptide of approx. 2000 dalton from each subunit by comparison with the newly-synthesized enzyme. It was observed that the modification of catalase was obviated by the presence of leupeptin and iodoacetamide and this information has enabled the purification of both modified and unmodified forms of the enzyme. The possible significance of these data has been discussed and the major features incorporated into a working model of peroxisomal biogenesis.

Animals↗

Monosaccharide absorption and water secretion during disaccharide perfusion of the human jejunum.

During jejunal perfusion of normal subjects with isotonic mannitol-saline containing glucose, maltose or sucrose (112 mmol/l), monosaccharide absorption from disaccharides was greater than expected from the intraluminal concentration of free monosaccharides, and water secretion was greater than with glucose. With equimolar (112 mmol/l) glucose + disaccharide mixtures, intraluminal glucose concentrations were similar to but total glucose absorption less than expected from experiments with the individual sugars. The results favour sequential hydrolysis-absorption whereby high concentrations of monosaccharide accumulate at the brush border and promote sugar uptake by conventional rather than 'disaccharidase-related' transport, and stimulate water secretion by local osmotic effects.

Adolescent↗

Genetic marker patterns of inbred strains of mice at the Cancer Research Institute, Bombay.

36 genetic markers were examined in 14 inbred strains of mice maintained at the Cancer Research Institute, Bombay. The genetic marker profiles of these strains when compared with the profiles of similar strains maintained elsewhere revealed discrepancies in 4 of them which are reported and discussed. The results emphasize the importance of genetic monitoring of inbred strains.

Alleles↗

Synthesis and incorporation of phospholipid by peroxisomes of mouse liver.

The uptake of radioactively labelled glycerol into the phospholipid fractions of mouse liver has been studied. The incorporation of phospholipid into peroxisomal and microsomal membranes was found to be rapid, and of a similar timescale, whereas mitochondrial membranes were appreciably slower in their uptake of label. Discernible differences were shown to exist between these membrane types in relation to phospholipid composition and lipid turnover. These data are interpreted as supportive of a model for peroxisomal biogenesis which involves formation of these organelles by a budding process from the smooth endoplasmic reticulum.

Animals↗