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Biomedical subjects

D A Pragay

Publications and source records attributed to D A Pragay.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1981

Noise levels in hospital laboratories. Are they a problem and can they be reduced?

In this paper the question of noise level in laboratories was considered and the results of noise level measurements made in various areas of chemistry, hematology and microbiology laboratories in 15 hospitals in the Western New York area were presented. It was concluded that even though the measured noise levels were within the limits set by OSHA, they were sometimes quite high and should be reduced whenever possible.

Laboratories↗
PubMed1981

Studies on osteoporosis. V. Comparison of methods of evaluation of osteoporosis and study of chromosome changes induced by neutron activation.

In vivo activation analysis was compared with ashing and atomic absorption spectrophotometry for the determination of total skeletal calcium content in mice. The results were close to identical. The possible mutagenic-carcinogenic effect of repeated exposure to whole body neutron irradiation was studied by chromosome analysis. Under the conditions of these experiments, no significant chromosome changes were seen.

Activation Analysis↗
PubMed1980

A computer directed pneumatic tube system: its effects on specimens.

When the new Erie County Medical Center (Buffalo, NY) was built, a pneumatic tube network, manufactured by Mosler Airmatic and Electronic Systems Company, was installed. This network, called the Mosler System 4000, was designed to handle 600 transactions per hour in the hospital, and therefore had to have a high carrier speed (8m/sec). When blood specimens were sent through the system, blood cells were slightly damaged and lactic dehydrogenase activity in the serum was consistently elevated. But neither acidic phosphatase, potassium, blood gases nor urinary casts were significantly affected by tube transport.

Blood↗
PubMed1979

Biochemical analysis of a lithopedion.

Lithopedions are very rare; the medical literature mentions 330 cases. In the present case, a calcified lithopedion was found in the abdominal cavity of a 69-year-old woman who had died of unrelated causes. In general, the different organs of the lithopedion were easily distinguishable macroscopically. Microscopic examination detected reasonably well preserved structure only in skeletal muscle. Dry weight studies showed a definite dehydration (mummification) had taken place. Chemical analysis revealed a shell consisting mostly of inorganic constituents. Quantitative inorganic analysis of tissues was done and results compared to normal tissues. These results showed significant decrease of K and Cl, significant increase in Mg, P, Na and enormous increase in Ca. These data are compatible with the histologically observed calcification of the tissues. Under proper conditions, presumably dormant enzymes were reactivated in brain, liver, and muscle, although the total activity was low. Discernible LDH isoenzymes were found in liver and muscle. Discernible CK isoenzymes were found in brain and muscle.

Aged↗
PubMed1979

Elevation of brain-type creatine kinase in serum from patients with carcinoma.

The brain isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK BB) occurs in trace amounts in normal serum and is moderately increased in only a small number of non-oncological conditions. Although many tissues and tumors contain CK BB, we observed serum elevations only in certain carcinomas. Eleven patients with tissue-proven small cell anaplastic carcinoma (SCAC) of the lung had striking elevations of serum CK BB and no evidence of central nervous system (CNS) metastases. Significant increases were also observed in three cases of prostatic carcinoma with no apparent CNS involvement, and in one case each of adenocarcinoma and SCAC of the lung with proven CNS metastases. Three patients with SCAC of lung without distant metastases, three with SCAC of the esophagus with distant metastases but no known CNS involvement, and 17 patients with oncological conditions other than SCAC of the lung or adenocarcinoma of the prostate have failed to show elevation in serum CK BB activity. Serum CK BB may be useful as a diagnostic marker or indicator of metastases for some carcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1979

Biochemical parameters of normal rabbit serum.

An attempt was made to establish the normal range of 27 different parameters in the serum of 45 healthy, purebred, New Zealand White rabbits (3-5 kg). The reproducibility of the results was acceptable. Sensitive isoenzyme patterns (LDH, CK) could change, however, significantly if different methods were used in the bleeding procedure. Isoenzyme patterns (LDH and CK) of rabbit sera were different from that of human sera. All obtained results were compared with earlier data sporadically published in literature on rabbits.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Questionable usefulness of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase test in legal medicine.

Because of the high level of GGT activity in semen, the suggestion was made that this enzyme could serve as a test in forensic medical practice; especially in rape cases. Comparisons of GGT and ACP tests revealed, however, that GGT is not sensitive enough and did not show acceptable specificity. One can conclude that GGT cannot be recommended either as a confirmatory test or as a substitute for ACP determinations in rape cases.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1977

Use of different chemical methods for acid phosphatase in cases of rape.

Generally acid phosphatase (ACP) assay is used for testing cases of alleged rape. Comparison of three different chemical methods for Acid Phosphatase (Andersch's method with p-nitrophenyl-phosphate substrate and tartrate inhibitor (A-Tart), Roy's method with thymolphthalein phosphate substrate (R-TMP), and Babson's method with alphanaphthyl phosphate substrate) indicated that Roy's method (R-TMP) should be the preferred one. This method had both acceptable sensitivity and confirmed specificity. Our data confirmed that the vaginal wash of normal healthy women has a very low level of ACP activity. Because of inconclusive data in the literature regarding this ACP level, a normal and equivocal range of ACP was suggested until more is known about causes and interferences. Possible sources of normal ACP activity in the wash fluids were also indicated.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1975

Evaluation of the Corning 940 Calcium Titator for use with serum and urine.

The Corning 940 Titrator, which measures total calcium concentration by titration with [ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)]tetraacetic acid, was evaluated for use in hospital laboratory. Calcium values for patients' sera were about 0.3 mg/dl lower as measured with the Titrator than with the Technicon SMA 12/60 continuous-flow analyzer. A similar bias was evident when the results with the Titrator were compared with those from atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Agreement was better in the low range and worse in the high range. Within-day and between-day coefficients of variation on the Titrator were about 1.5% and 2.5%, respectively. We saw no interference from magnesium, phosphorus, bilirubin, or in the presence of lipemia. At extremely increased hemoglobin concentrations (500 mg/dl), there is a 5% inhibition. Titrator results for patients' urine samples correlated closely (n = 0.999) with those obtained with the SMA 12/60.

Autoanalysis↗