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Biomedical subjects

R Kaplan

Publications and source records attributed to R Kaplan.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Carcinoma of the tonsil: results of radical irradiation with surgery reserved for radiation failure.

This analysis reviews the treatment results of 58 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil who were treated by radical irradiation to the primary, with operation reserved for radiation failures. Postirradiation radical neck dissection was sometimes added as part of the initial treatment plan. The local control and absolute survival rates for T1-T2 lesions were quite good, and complications were minimal. On the other hand, the local control and absolute survival for T3-T4 lesions were only fair, and complications generally more severe, although mandibulectomy for osteonecrosis was not required in this small series. There appears to be no justification for combining operation with radiation in the initial attack for T1-T2 lesions. Although the T1-T2 lesions might as well be cured by operation alone, it would entail the loss of part of the mandible, pharyngeal wall, possibly some tongue and soft palate, and at least one radical neck dissection. At attempt at combining operation and irradiation for some T3 (T4) lesions appears justified by the high failure rate of radical irradiation alone. However, therapeutic zeal should be tempered by the realization that many of these patients are elderly or in poor general health, and an aggressive combined treatment approach may be unrealistic .

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1976

The site of ribosome degradation in starved Escherichia coli cells.

An attempt was made, in starved Escherichia coli cells, to locate the site at which the process of ribosome degradation is initiated. Supernatant and rapidly sedimenting pellet fractions from exponentially growing and from carbon-starved cells were prepared, and the ribonucleic acids from these fractions were seperated by polyacrylamide electrophoresis and quantitated. The data indicated that 23 S, 16 S, and 5 S RNA are lost only from the pellet; and also that the low molecular weight RNA degradation products are confined to this fraction. Ribosomes from supernatant and pellet fractions were seperated on sucrose density gradients. The sedimentation profiles obtained indicated that pellet fractions of starved cells contain for the most part 50 S and 30 S subunits, whereas 70 S monosomes were most abundant in the supernatant fraction. In vitro measurements on RNA degradation in supernatant and rapidly sedimenting pellet fractions confirmed the in vivo data on the exclusive degradation of ribosomal RNA in the pellet. Based on these data and on previous observations, we suggest that the endoribonucleolytic attack which triggers ribosome degradation, occurs in free subunits attached to the rapidly sedimenting membrane fraction. Subsequently, the ribosome falls apart, and the small RNA pieces generated remain attached to the pellet fraction until their final degradation by the exonuclease.

Carbon↗
PubMed1976

Systemic lupus erythematosus: unusual presentation with gastric polyps and vasculitis.

A case of SLE with the unique association of gastric polyps and vasculitis is reported. Gastrointestinal symptoms, surgical indications, and complications of SLE with gastrointestinal involvement are reviewed. The unusual patterns of ileus or lupus peritonitis secondary to mesenteric vasculitis must be differentiated from a true surgical emergency. Corticosteroids may be expected to produce rapid clinical improvement in the two former instances. Surgical exploration is reserved for those cases with clinical or radiologic evidence of uncontrollable hemorrhage, bowel perforation, or mesenteric infarction.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Photon absorptiometric analysis of bone density in primary hyperparathyroidism.

The density of bone in the distal third of the radius was measured in 13 men and 17 women with primary hyperparathyroidism. The bone density was significantly reduced (as compared to age-matched controls) in 7 of 11 postmenopausal women. However, it was reduced in only 2 of 13 men and in 1 of 6 premenopausal women. Thus, most of the postmenopausal women with primary hyperparathyroidism had low bone density, whereas most men and premenopausal women with this condition had normal bone density. The results support the conclusion that oestrogen deficiency may contribute to the development of bone disease by sensitising bone to the action of parathyroid hormone.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Decay of ribosomal ribonucleic acid in Escherichia coli cells starved for various nutrients.

Decay of pre-existing ribonucleic acid was studied in Escherichia coli cells subjected to high temperature or to starvation for nitrogen, phosphate, amino acids, or a carbon source. In these studies a series of mutants affected in ribonucleic I(RNase I, EC 3.1.4.22) polynucleotide phosphorylase (EC 2.7.7.8) or ribonuclease II (RNase II, EC 3.1.4.23) were used. Degradation of total RNA and the disappearance of 23 S and 16 S rRNA were followed. The results obtained indicated that, by and large, decay of 23 S and 16 S RNA parallels that of total RNA. Decay of RNA depended on the nuclease content of the cells as well as on the treatment of applied. It was most pronounced during carbon starvation and least in cells deprived of phosphate ions. It was most effective in strains containing all three nucleases and least in the strain defective in all three. The exonucleases polynucleotide phosphorylase and RNase II did not seem to affect the extent of 23 S and 16 S RNA disappearance. Strains with modified exonucleases did accumulate low molecular weight RNA species during treatments which induced considerable degradation of 23 S and 16 S RNA. Based on the above date and previous observations, we suggest that during various starvations a similar mechanism is operative. The 23 S and 16 S RNAs are degraded endonucleolytically, and this is the rate-limiting step during starvation. The exonucleases polynucleotide phosphorylase and RNase II seem to participate primarily in the decay of the low molecular weight RNA species formed by the endonuclease(s), not as yet identified.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1975

The fate of ribosomes in Escherichia coli cells starved for a carbon source.

The disappearance of ribosomes in Escherichia coli cells starved for a carbon source was studied. We used a series of mutants, some of them lacking in ribonuclease I(RNase I, EC 2.7.7.17), and other containing various combinations of modified polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase, EC 2.7.7.8) and modified ribonuclease II (RNase II, EC 3.1.4.1). RNA was prepared from the starved mutant cells and separated on polyacrylamide gels. The results obtained indicate that 23 S RNA degradation is similar in all strains that lack RNase I, and is slightly increased in the strain that contains this enzyme. The extent of 16 S RNA degradation is identical in all strains tested. RNA species in the size of 4 S and smaller accumulate in mutants containing modified forms of PNPase and RNase II. The appearance of an RNA species 10% smaller than 16 S RNA (d16 S RNA) was observed in all strains that contain unmodified RNase II. Analysis of ribosomes and polysomes and their RNA content indicated that polysomes are converted to monosomes and these, in turn, to ribosomal subunits. No RNA degradation products were found in polysomes, 70 S, OR 50 C particle; 30 S subunits contained 16 S RNA as well as the d16 S RNA species. Subunits are degraded to a similar extent in all strains lacking RNase I, and at a slightly faster rate in the strain that contains RNase I. The RNA to protein ratio in subunits prepared from starved cells is similar to that of unstarved cultures. Very little degradation of ribosomal proteins occurs in these mutants during carbon starvation. The proteins released from degraded ribosomes are found in the fast sedimenting (20,000 times g) pellet. Cell viability studies indicated a direct correlation between the capacity of the mutants to recovery from starvation and their capacity to degrade RNA. Thus a biological necessity for degradation of ribosomes during starvation is implied. Based on these data we propose that the endonucleolytic degradation of ribosomal RNA is the primary event in starvation degradation. It takes place in ribosomal subunits, which fall apart after the endonucleoltic attack. The RNA pieces produced by this cleavage are degraded to nucleotide by RNase II and PNPase. The ribosomal proteins attach to the cell membrane.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1975

A simple test for the diagnosis of absorptive, resorptive and renal hypercalciurias.

A test was developed to diagnose various forms of hypercalciuria. A two-hour urine sample after an overnight fast and a four-hour urine sample after 1 g of calcium by mouth were tested for calcium, cyclic AMP and creatinine. The 24 patients with absorptive hypercalciuria had normocalcemia and normal fasting urinary calcium (less than 0.11 mg per milligram of urinary creatnine). Urinary calcium was high (greater than or equal to 0.2 mg per milligram of creatinine) after a calcium load. Of the 28 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (resorptive hypercalciuria), 25 had hypercalcemia and 21 had high fasting urinary calcium. Urinary cyclic AMP, elevated in 30 per cent of fasting patients, was high (greater than 4.60 mu moles per gram of creatinine) in 82 per cent of cases after calcium load. Six patients with renal hypercalciuria had normocalcemia, high fasting urinary calcium, and high (greater than 6.86 mu moles per gram of creatinine) or high-normal fasting urinary cyclic AMP was normal. This simple test should facilitate the differentiation of various causes of hypercalciuria.

Bone Resorption↗
PubMed1975

A general method for the introduction of enzymes, by means of immunoglobulin-coated liposomes, into lysosomes of deficient cells.

Phagocytes of the smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis) contain no endogenous peroxidase within their lysosomes and constitute models for cells genetically deficient in lysosomal enzymes such as myeloperoxidase. We have obtained uptake of over 50% of exogenous horseradish peroxidase, provided the enzyme is exhibited to cells after incorporation into liposomes coated with heat-aggregated (62 degrees, 10 min), isologous IgM. Trapping of horseradish peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) by liposomes was established by chromatographic resolution (Sephadex G-200; Sepharose 2B and 4B) of free enzyme from that associated with liposomes; liposome-associated horseradish peroxidase, together with trapped markers of the aqueous compartment (glucose, CrO4 equals), were excluded, and free enzyme and markers were retained. Enzyme and marker trapping was not electrostatic, varied with the molar ratio of charged membrane components, and was reversed by detergent lysis (Triton X-100) of liposomes. Uptake at 30 degrees of aggregated IgM-coated liposomes containing trapped horseradish peroxidase exceeded that of free enzyme of 100-fold, and was more efficient than uptake of horseradish peroxidase presented in uncoated liposomes or in liposomes coated with native IgM. After phagocytosis, peroxidase-rich liposomes were localized exclusively in lysosomes of the phagocytes by ultrastructural histochemistry; the enzyme displayed over 50% latency to osmotic lysis. This method may prove to be of general use in the provision of exogenous enzymes to phagocytic cells genetically deficient in lysosomal hydrolases.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Regional variation in glycolytic enzyme adaptation to dietary sugars in rat small intestine.

This investigation evaluated the adaptive response of the glycolytic enzymes, fructose-1-phosphate aldolase, fructose-1, 6-diphosphate aldolase, and pyruvate kinase, to dietary sugars throughout the small intestine. In addition, the effect of prior diet on this adaptive response and on the enzyme distribution pattern along the small intestine was studied. Rats were fed 40% glucose, 68% sucrose or carbohydrate-free diets for 6 days (baseline diet), followed by one of three isocaloric test diets (40% glucose, 68% sucrose or carbohydrate-free for 3 days. In other groups of tats isocaloric diets of 68% glucose, 68% fructose or 34% glucose + 34% fructose, fed for 4 days, were compared. Enzymes were assayed in the mucosa of the duodenum (D),and in 5 equal (by length) segments from the Ligament of Treitz to the ileocecal valve (J1, J2, J3, I1 and I2). Enzyme specific activities were significantly higher in the proximal (D-J1-J2) than distal segments (J3-I1-I2) on all diets (P smaller than 0.001). Enzyme activities after test diet periods were determined only by the test diet, and were independent of the baseline diet for all segments. The 68% carbohydrate diets increased enzyme activities significantly more (P smaller than 0.001) than the 40% glucose or carbohydrate free diets, in all segments. On the 40% glucose diet, activities were significantly higher (P smaller than 0.05) than on the carbohydrate free diet in D and J1, but not distally. The data suggest that there is an intrinsic gradient of enzyme activity from the proximal to the distal small intestine which persists despite dietary manipulation, and that all segments of the small bowel show adaptive increases to dietary sugars.

Aldehyde-Lyases↗
PubMed1975

Acid-soluble degradation products of ribonucleic acid in Escherichia coli and the role of nucleotidases in their catabolism.

The fate of the internally formed nucleotides resulting from the degradation of ribonucleic acid was studied. Prelabeled Escherichia coli cells were submitted to carbon starvation, and the acid-soluble products were separated by thin-layer chromatography. It was determined that free bases constitute some 75% of the end product, the balance consisting of nucleoside diphosphates, 5'-nucleoside monophosphates, 3'-nucleoside monophosphates, and nucleosides. The majority of degradation products, including phosphorylated derivatives, were excreted into the medium. The amount of products in the pool remained constant. The soluble products formed by E. coli mutants lacking either 5'-nucleotidase (Ush-) or 3'-nucleotidase (Cpd-) were compared with those produced by the parental strain with both enzymes. The results obtained indicated that 5'-nucleotidase is involved in the degradation of internally foromed nucleotides but that 3'-nucleotidase takes no part in the process.

Carbon↗