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Biomedical subjects

R Rice

Publications and source records attributed to R Rice.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Reduction of plasma and hepatic triacylglycerides with whole milk-containing diets in rats.

Two studies were conducted to determine the effect of diets containing milk on plasma cholesterol, triacylglycerides, apolipoproteins, and lipoprotein composition and hepatic lipid levels in rats. In the first study four groups were fed either a diet containing skim milk (SM) powder or whole milk (WM) powder or one of two control diets with casein as the protein source. The SM diet and one casein diet (SM control) each contained 5% fat by weight as corn oil. The WM diet contained 20% fat by weight, derived from the milk powder, and the second casein diet (WM control) contained 20% fat by weight from corn oil and lard. The SM group had similar plasma and hepatic lipids, as did the SM control group; plasma apolipoprotein AI, AIV and B did not differ between the groups, but the apo E level was lower in the control group. The WM group had lower plasma triacylglycerides and apo B and lower hepatic cholesterol and triacylglycerides than did the WM control group. In the second study the WM diet was fed again, and the two control diets contained casein as the protein source, 20% butter oil (so that the level of dietary fat was comparable to that of the WM diet), and either lactose or sucrose was added. The plasma apo B and triacylglycerides and the hepatic cholesterol and triacylglycerides were significantly lower in the WM group than in the casein/lactose or casein/sucrose groups. The amount of protein, cholesterol and triacylglycerides in the VLDL fraction of the plasma was lower in the WM group than in the casein/lactose or casein/sucrose groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Intestinal obstruction in patients with ovarian cancer. Variables associated with surgical complications and survival.

Intestinal obstruction is frequently encountered in patients with ovarian cancer. Surgical correction of intestinal obstruction may allow the prolonged survival of some patients. We identified prognostic factors associated with operative complications and postoperative survival. Multiple preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were considered. In addition, a previously published prognostic index was evaluated. Statistical assessment developed a model that demonstrated that the clinical assessment of tumor status, the serum albumin level, and the nutrition score were variables significantly associated with postoperative survival. The amount of residual ovarian cancer at the completion of bowel obstruction surgery was also significantly associated with postoperative survival. This information may aid in the preoperative selection of patients who might benefit from surgical correction of intestinal obstruction.

Aged↗

Chloramphenicol, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin against murine scrub typhus.

Ciprofloxacin (120 mg/kg of body weight per day), chloramphenicol (300 mg/kg per day), and gentamicin (30 mg/kg per day) were compared with placebo in a BALB/cj mouse model of scrub typhus. All animals treated with ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol survived. All animals treated with gentamicin or placebo died. All surviving animals showed evidence of seroconversion. Ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol were statistically more effective in preventing death than gentamicin or placebo.

Animals↗

Genetic parameter estimates for preweaning traits of beef cattle in a stressful environment.

Data collected from 1957 through 1985 from a Hereford herd located in the Southwest were analyzed separately for each sex to evaluate the heritabilities of and genetic correlations among preweaning growth traits within groups of environmentally similar years. Data were grouped into years with poor, moderate and good environments based on contemporary group means for male calves' weaning weight. A total of 7,690 records were analyzed for birth weight, weaning weight and preweaning daily gain with a model that included year of birth, sire within year of birth, age of dam and a covariate of day of birth for birth weight or age at weaning for the weaning traits. Year of birth was a significant source of variation in all environments for all traits, accounting for more of the variation in the good and poor years than in moderate years. Heritability estimates for all traits were greater in good and moderate years than in poor years for bull calves. For heifers, however, estimates for weaning weight and preweaning daily gain were greater in the poor environment. Genetic correlations among birth weight and preweaning gain increased from the good environment to the poor environment (-.49 +/- .26 to .82 +/- .56 for male calves and -.09 +/- 2.6 to .46 +/- .25 for female calves) but phenotypic correlations were near zero in all environments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Screening for colorectal cancer in a high-risk population. Results of a mathematical model.

A mathematical model was used to estimate the cost-effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening strategies for people who are at high risk because of a first-degree relative with colorectal cancer. The model uses indirect evidence about such factors as cancer incidence, sensitivity and specificity of different tests, and treatment effectiveness. The analysis indicates that for screening people over 40 yr old an annual fecal occult blood test may reduce colorectal cancer mortality by about one-third, either colonoscopy or barium enema may reduce mortality by approximately 85%, a 3-5-yr frequency for endoscopies or barium enemas preserves 70%-90% of the effectiveness of an annual frequency, and beginning screening at age 50 reduces effectiveness by 5%-10%. Although both barium enemas and colonoscopies appear to be effective in reducing mortality, the lower cost of the barium enema makes it a more cost-effective strategy. All of these estimates depend on the baseline estimates of each of the factors incorporated in the model; the conclusions are most sensitive to assumptions about the natural history of adenomatous polyps, the bleeding of adenomas and presymptomatic cancers, and the sensitivity of the fecal occult blood test. Recommendations about colorectal cancer screening must also consider factors such as discomfort, inconvenience, and the availability of various technologies.

Colonic Neoplasms↗

Surgical management of intestinal obstruction in ovarian cancer. I. Clinical features, postoperative complications, and survival.

The results of surgery to relieve intestinal obstruction in 49 patients who were known to have ovarian cancer were studied. All patients had received adjunctive chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy prior to bowel obstruction. Thirty patients had small bowel obstruction, 16 patients had colonic obstruction, and 3 patients had concurrent small and large bowel obstruction. Clinical status, nutritional parameters, and radiographic findings were analyzed. Progressive ovarian cancer was ultimately found to be the cause of obstruction in 86% of patients. Major postoperative complications occurred in 49% of patients and were encountered significantly more frequently in those patients with small bowel obstruction (P less than 0.04). Complications most frequently encountered included wound infection, enterocutaneous fistulae, and other septic sequelae. Median postoperative survival was 140 days, with 73% surviving at 60 days postoperatively. A total of 14.3% of patients were alive 12 months postoperatively. These results are similar to prior reports and emphasize the need for clearer preoperative selection criteria.

Adult↗

Ferritin content in human cancerous and noncancerous colonic tissue.

Tumor tissue samples from 25 patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon, twelve related samples of normal colons as well as five serum specimens from the same patients were analyzed for ferritin. The average ferritin content of the tumor tissue was 788 ng/mcp with a range of 47-1,745 ng/mcp. The average ferritin content of normal colon mucosa was 115 ng/mcp with a range of 32-230 ng/mcp. Two specimens of metastatic colon cancer taken from the retroperitoneal space and liver, respectively, contained 3,867 and 2,827 ng/mcp of ferritin. The ferritin content of the tumor tissue was higher than that of the normal colon in 8 of 9 patients who had specimens obtained from both sites. The amount of ferritin found in tumor tissue was independent of sex, age, and the site of the original tumor. This study shows that the ferritin content of colon neoplasms is elevated and indicates that the tumor tissue may be the direct source of elevated serum levels of ferritin previously observed in cancer patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Synthesis and bioevaluation of alkyl 2-cyanoacryloyl glycolates as potential soft tissue adhesives.

A series of alkyl 2-cyanoacryloyl glycolate tissue adhesives were synthesized and characterized by NMR. Physical properties and bond strengths are presented. Within the series, bond strength decreased with increasing molecular weight. Corresponding polymers were evaluated by in vitro and in vivo techniques for biocompatibility. In general, in vitro biocompatibility increased with molecular weight. Based on in vitro and in vivo results, the isobutyl and isoamyl derivatives gave polymers that were most biocompatible, however, the entire series was found to be less reactive than poly(methyl 2-cyanoacrylate) and only the isopropyl derivative polymers more reactive than poly(isobutyl 2-cyanoacrylate). Approximately one-third of the isobutyl polymer biodegraded in vivo after 6 weeks.

Adhesiveness↗

Chronic colonization of rat airways with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Colonization of the airways of rats by Pseudomonas aeruginosa was established by treating the animals with hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA) and inoculating with P. aeruginosa. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given tap water (controls) or HMPA in the drinking water at 2 or 4 mg/ml. The ciliated cells of the airway epithelium were denuded, and microulcerative lesions in the epithelium were induced in the HMPA-treated rats. After 2 weeks of treatment, the rats were inoculated by transoral intratracheal instillation with 5 X 10(7) CFU of P. aeruginosa obtained from a cystic fibrosis patient. Two weeks after inoculation, P. aeruginosa was cultured from the airways, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed bacilli adhering to or invading the injured airway epithelium. P. aeruginosa was present in tracheal and intrapulmonary tissue homogenates of 9% of the P. aeruginosa-inoculated control rats (n = 22) as compared with 61% of the 2-mg/ml (n = 18) and 65% of the 4-mg/ml (n = 20) HMPA-treated rats (P less than 0.05). No dose-response relationship was found between 2 and 4 mg of HMPA per ml and colonization. Contamination of 47% of all of the rats with Mycoplasma pulmonis, as indicated by a positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for immunoglobulin G, had no discernible significant effect on colonization by P. aeruginosa. These results indicate that colonization of the rat airway by P. aeruginosa can be achieved experimentally by treating the animals with HMPA. This research supports the hypothesis that colonization by P. aeruginosa may occur in airways where the ciliated epithelium has been injured and epithelial lesions exist.

Animals↗

Postpartum education: a pilot study of pediatric and maternal perceptions.

The postpartum period represents a time when families need and are most receptive to both support and factual information concerning the care and well-being of their infant. This pilot study explored and compared informational issues that mothers and health care providers considered essential to pediatricians' postpartum discussions with parents. Mothers (N = 25), pediatricians (N = 15), pediatric residents (N = 12), and nurses (N = 20) assigned rankings to informational issues generated by their respective peers. Although there were some congruencies, consumer and provider expectations and priorities did not always coincide. In addition, observations of 14 postpartum counseling sessions revealed discrepancies between pediatricians' stated priorities and actual interview content. It is suggested that the priorities found in this study can be used in developing a curriculum for residents and students in the area of postpartum education and counseling.

Counseling↗