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Biomedical subjects

H Bingham

Publications and source records attributed to H Bingham.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Natural history of bloodstream infections in a burn patient population: the importance of candidemia.

Because of a perceived increase in Candida bloodstream infections in our burn unit, we retrospectively reviewed all the microbiologic data and the medical records of 209 patients with burns admitted during a 42-month period. Twice weekly burn wound cultures demonstrated that Candida species were the tenth most frequently isolated organisms (69/191 patients, 36%). Despite the low frequency of isolation from burn wounds, Candida species were the most common organisms found in blood cultures and urine cultures. Of 49 patients with positive blood cultures, 16 (33%) had clinically significant culture growth of yeasts: Candida albicans, 12; Candida parapsilosis, 2; Candida tropicalis, 1; and Torulopsis glabrata, 1. Patients with candidemia were more likely than patients with blood culture growth of other organisms to have burn wound cultures that grew Candida (15/16 vs 21/33, p = 0.02), larger burns (61% vs 38%, p < 0.001), and death (63% vs 27%, p = 0.02). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the total number of blood cultures with microorganism growth and large burn size were the greatest independent risk factors for candidemia. These data demonstrate that yeasts are pathogens of major importance in patients with burns, suggesting that in patients with burns who have suspected sepsis and large burn injury or a previous bacteremia, strong consideration should be given to administration of amphotericin B initiation of empiric antibacterial therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Fine mapping of the three rRNA operons on the updated genomic map of Campylobacter jejuni TGH9011 (ATCC 43431).

The three rRNA gene loci of Campylobacter jejuni TGH9011 (ATCC 43431) were cloned. All three rRNA operons were shown to possess a contiguous 16S-23S structure and contain intercistronic tRNA(Ala) and tRNA(Ile). The three RNA operons and additional 14 genetic markers were mapped in the updated genomic map of C. jejuni TGH9011, which now has a total of 24 genetic markers.

Campylobacter jejuni↗
PubMed1992

Physical map of Campylobacter jejuni TGH9011 and localization of 10 genetic markers by use of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

The physical map of Campylobacter jejuni TGH9011 (ATCC 43430) was constructed by mapping the three restriction enzyme sites SacII (CCGCGG), SalI (GTCGAC), and SmaI (CCCGGG) on the genome of C. jejuni by using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and Southern hybridization. A total of 25 restriction enzyme sites were mapped onto the C. jejuni chromosome. The size of the genome was reevaluated and was shown to be 1,812.5 kb. Ten C. jejuni genetic markers that have been isolated in our laboratory were mapped to specific restriction enzyme fragments. Furthermore, we have accurately mapped one of the three rRNA operons (rrnA) and have demonstrated a separation of the 16S and 23S rRNA-encoding sequences in one of the rRNA operons.

Campylobacter jejuni↗
PubMed1989

Imbalance of purine nucleotides in alanosine-resistant baby hamster kidney cells.

Human DNA was used to transform adenosine kinase (AK)-deficient BHK cells followed by selection of AK+ cells in medium containing alanosine, adenosine, and uridine (AAU medium). Twenty AAUr isolates were analyzed, and none of them contained AK activity. Several purine salvage enzymes were, however, found to be affected in these cells. The levels of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase and adenylosuccinate synthetase activities were elevated, while the adenylosuccinase activity was reduced. AAU-resistance may be explained by elevated activity of adenylosuccinate synthetase to overcome the alanosine block; thus AAUr cells were able to convert exogenous adenosine----inosine----hypoxanthine----IMP----AMPS----AMP. Moreover, these AAUr cells required exogenous purines for growth. HPLC analyses of endogenous nucleotide pools of AAUr cells showed that the levels of adenine nucleotides have diminished to less than 10% of the parental levels. These results suggest that the AAU-resistant mutation, which elicits pleiotropic phenotypes in BHK cells, affects an important component in the regulation of adenine nucleotide synthesis. By including erthyro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine in the AAU medium (renamed as AAUE medium) to block deamination of adenosine, AK+ BHK cells were isolated.

Adenine↗
PubMed1988

Cloning and expression of the Campylobacter jejuni glyA gene in Escherichia coli.

Genetic studies of Campylobacter jejuni are greatly hampered by the lack of genetic markers and an established classical gene transfer mechanism between strains of this species. To facilitate future genetic studies and to provide a recombinant DNA approach for analyzing genes of C. jejuni, we constructed an extensive genomic library of a pathogenic C. jejuni strain TGH9011 (serotype 0:3) using pBR322. We report the isolation of a number of recombinant plasmids containing the complete structural gene of glyA, that encodes serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) of C. jejuni. Escherichia coli cells containing this multicopy recombinant plasmid with the glyA gene produce high levels of SHMT. The SHMT-encoding fragment was identified by subcloning and functional complementation. The expression of the C. jejuni glyA gene was probably via transcription initiated from its own promoter.

Campylobacter fetus↗
PubMed1986

Electrical burns.

Electrical injury is unlike other burns because of extensive local destruction of tissue at the points of entrance and exit. Artz likened it to a severe muscle crush injury, whereas Hunt showed that the deep-tissue loss is secondary to extremely high temperatures from resistance of the tissues (skin and bone) to the passage of electric current. Although Joule's equivalent explains the heat exchange (often in thousands of degrees of centigrade) with many variables to be considered, it is usually the voltage that can be determined and probably is the most important factor. High tension (more than 1000 volts) and low tension (less than 1000 volts) and direct and indirect currents all exert differing effects. Arc burns can occur without the patient contacting the electrical source but can be quite destructive. Electrical injury can affect many organ systems, depending on the path of the current. The volume conductor theory explains why extremity burns are much worse than torso burns and why extensive débridement (particularly of periosseus muscle) is usually necessary. The progressive destruction of tissue is probably best explained by small vessel occlusion and possibly also by elevated levels of arachidonic acid in areas of greatest heat production. Antithromboxane agents have halted the progression in experimental animals; muscle biopsies and an increased uptake of technetium Tc 99m pyrophosphate help to determine nonviable tissue that must be débrided. Resuscitation must be aggressive to provide adequate circulatory volume. Normal vital signs should be maintained along with a urine output of 100 ml per hour to overcome the destructive renal tubular effect of myoglobin and hemoglobin products. Control of sepsis and its complications through aggressive wound management is critical for survival. Long-term problems from electrical injury are possible, and efforts at prevention may save life and limb.

Blood Vessels↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fatal hydrofluoric acid cutaneous exposure with refractory ventricular fibrillation.

A patient with hydrofluoric acid burns involving only 8% of his body surface area died from intractable cardiac arrhythmia secondary to the depletion of ionized calcium by fluoride ion. For burns of this type, immediate subcutaneous injection of 10% calcium gluconate into the burn wound is recommended and the dose given should be titrated to the relief of local pain. Immediate debridgement of the burn wound also can decrease the treacherous aspect of the circulating fluoride ion, which binds to calcium to form an insoluble salt, effectively removing the calcium ion from any physiologic interaction.

Burns, Chemical↗