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Biomedical subjects

J Hanks

Publications and source records attributed to J Hanks.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Whole organ transplantation and glucose regulation.

Pancreas transplantation has gained clinical acceptance since its initial application more than 30 years ago. A constellation of surgical, pharmacologic, and metabolic alterations occur with transplantation, particularly if pancreatic transplantation is performed in addition to renal transplantation in a uremic diabetic. Increasingly sophisticated studies have allowed analysis of the performance of the transplanted organ and have enhanced our basic understanding of insulin's complex interplay in peripheral glucoregulatory processes.

Adipose Tissue↗

Conservation strategies for Africa's large mammals.

Africa's large mammals are conserved for their aesthetic, scientific and economic values. Many of these species face a gloomy future precipitated by a combination of factors directly and indirectly influenced by the activities of man, including habitat loss, overexploitation, poor management of designated protected areas, and the vulnerability of small isolated populations. Africa's designated protected areas and biodiversity hotspots are also under threat, highlighting the importance of embracing community participation to address accelerating poverty and malnutrition. Innovative strategies are required for the conservation of Africa's mammals, such as the integration of a wide range of species in the production landscape, including the farming community. Transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs) have been established with the combined objectives of conserving biodiversity, creating new jobs in the tourism and wildlife industry, and promoting a culture of peace. These areas extend far beyond traditional national parks, providing opportunities for integrating large mammals into sustainable land-use practices, at the same time as addressing some of the continent's more pressing socioeconomic needs. Research on African mammals will inevitably have to change direction to accommodate the growing threats and changed circumstances. Priorities will include the identification of corridors associated with TFCA establishment, the determination of the economic value of certain species in consumptive use programmes, research on contraception as a management option in restricted areas, and further work on the indirect use value of species. There will also be worthwhile opportunities to be pursued with ex situ conservation programmes, but these need to be focussed more efficiently.

Africa↗

The effect of intraislet somatostatin immunoneutralization on insulin secretion in the isolated perfused rat pancreas.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence of a local inhibitory effect of somatostatin on insulin secretion in the isolated human pancreas, but this has not been shown in a rat model. The possible phasic effect of somatostatin on insulin secretion has not been demonstrated. AIMS: This study was undertaken to determine if somatostatin has a local regulatory effect on phasic insulin secretion within a rat pancreas model. METHODS: The basal and glucose stimulated secretion of insulin was compared with and without immunoneutralization of somatostatin using a somatostatin antibody in an isolated perfused rat pancreas model. High concentration, high affinity monoclonal somatostatin antibody was perfused through isolated rat pancreata. Radioimmunoassay for insulin was performed on the portal effluent. RESULTS: Immunoneutralization of somatostatin during basal insulin secretion produced a rise in insulin secretion of 551 +/- 163% that approached significance. Immunoneutralization during glucose stimulated insulin secretion produced a significant rise in insulin secretion compared to the control group of 2,678 +/- 187% vs. 535 +/- 39% (p < 0.05). The phase I vs. the phase II response in the glucose stimulated pancreas was similar in the presence of control antibody, 867 +/- 351% vs. 900 +/- 398% (p = NS). With somatostatin immunoneutralization, the glucose stimulated pancreas had a significantly higher phase II response than phase I; 3,832 +/- 688% vs. 2,516 +/- 431% (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These data indicate that intraislet somatostatin is an inhibitor of insulin secretion in the isolated perfused rat pancreas. This effect occurs primarily in phase II of insulin secretion.

Animals↗

Rude awakenings.

A new nurse recently complained in a national nursing publication that her manager, a 22-year veteran, refers to her staff as"dodos," "dipsticks" and "resident idiots." The vexed grad wanted to know whether she had to put up with this verbal abuse. It's amazing that she even had to ask. The Los Angeles Times reports that rudeness is epidemic in America, as "embedded in the workplace culture as time cards, fluorescent lighting and computers." EMTs and paramedics are prime targets. You endure it from patients, their families, bystanders, coworkers, managers, ED staffers and cops. You no doubt take a deep breath, hold your tongue and prepare to move on to the next call. But what if you're mad as hell and don't want to take it anymore? On the following pages, experts share their experiences and offer communication strategies. So, hurry up! Turn the page! (Oops. We apologize for being rude...)

Communication↗

Primary aortoenteric fistulas.

Aortoenteric fistulas were first reported in 1822. Primary aortoenteric fistulas are uncommon (less than 200 cases reported). Secondary aortoenteric fistulas are a well-recognized complication of prosthetic grafts (incidence from 0.4 to 2.4%). Atherosclerosis, gallstones, foreign bodies, carcinomas, and diverticular disease are the most common etiologies. Diagnosis is difficult with most studies being nondiagnostic. A high incidence of suspicion is required to successfully diagnosis preoperatively. Surgical repair is required for survival of the patients and should consist of the following: 1) primary closure of the intestinal defect, 2) either primary anatomical repair with a prosthetic graft or extra-anatomical vascular reconstruction, depending upon the presence or absence of infection, and 3) treatment with appropriate antibiotics. One of the largest series of primary aortoenteric fistulas from a single institution consisting of three cases secondary to aneurysmal and granulomatous disease is discussed.

Aged↗

Sonographic diagnosis of a liver cell adenoma.

As shown by the case we have reported, ultrasonography should be the first imaging method used in a young woman with pain in the right upper quadrant and a history of contraceptive use. Possible biliary system abnormalities, a more common cause of pain in the right upper quadrant, can be simultaneously evaluated.

Adult↗

Site-specific mutagenesis of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase. Evidence that carbamate formation at Lys 191 is required for catalytic activity.

Site-specific mutagenesis of a cloned gene for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase from Rhodospirillum rubrum was used to examine the functional significance of carbamate activation. Lysine 191, the residue involved in carbamate formation, was replaced with a glutamate in order to mimic the anionic nature of the carbamate. The resulting enzyme was capable of binding the six-carbon transition state analog carboxyarabinitol bisphosphate, but completely lacked catalytic activity. In contrast to the wild-type enzyme, carboxyarabinitol bisphosphate binding was not stabilized by divalent metal and CO2. These observations are consistent with a proposed role for the carbamate in binding the metal required for catalysis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Differing uptake of emulsion triglyceride by the fed and fasted rat liver.

The recycling perfusion of a fasted rat liver with an apoprotein E-enriched synthetic triglyceride emulsion revealed a significantly greater hepatic uptake of both the apoprotein and the triglyceride than did the liver of a chow-fed animal. This greater hepatic triglyceride uptake by the perfused fasted liver in comparison to the fed was also noted for emulsions containing no added apoprotein or supplemented with both the E and CIII-1 proteins. However, no difference in the uptake of the triglyceride emulsion was seen for the fed and fasted livers when evaluated by a nonrecycling single pass perfusion. The isolated hepatocyte plasma membranes from fasted rats failed to demonstrate enhanced binding of apoprotein or lipid when compared to those from fed animals. If the residual E loaded triglyceride emulsion was recovered from the recycling perfusates of fed and fasted livers and evaluated in a non-recycling single-pass system, the emulsion from the fasted perfusion was cleared as facilely as previously, whereas that from the fed was less actively cleared. The emulsions retrieved from the perfusion of the fed liver contained significantly more protein than did the fasted; in particular apo C. This apparent alteration of emulsion apoproteins by the fed liver possibly results in a less active hepatic retrieval and may be important in downregulating the entry of lipoprotein triglyceride in the postabsorptive liver.

Animals↗

Effect of apolipoproteins on the induction of hepatic steatosis in rats.

The incorporation of apolipoprotein E isolated from human very low density lipoproteins on a triglyceride emulsion produced a substantial increment in hepatic triglyceride after 1 h of in vitro perfusion through the isolated liver of a fasted rat. Both gross and microscopic morphology confirmed a substantial steatosis. Perfusions with triglyceride emulsions which contained no apoipoproteins resulted in a modest increment in hepatic triglyceride although considerably less than emulsions with the E protein, and no morphologic features of steatosis. The steatosis induced in the in vitro perfused fasted livers by the emulsions with E protein could be prevented when CIII-1 apoprotein was also incorporated on the emulsion. A fed rat liver perfused with the E-enriched emulsion accumulated significantly less triglyceride than the fasted preparation. These data suggest that the apoprotein patterns of the plasma triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are of considerable importance for the partition of triglyceride between liver and plasma.

Animals↗

The uptake of high density lipoprotein cholesteryl ester in the perfused rat liver.

The hepatic uptake of high density lipoprotein cholesteryl ester was determine in a nonrecycling isolated rat liver perfusion. High density lipoprotein rich in the E apoprotein (apoE) showed about 10 times more uptake of the ester on a single pass than the bulk of the high density lipoproteins rich in the A-I protein. The apoportein recoveries in the liver paralleled the ester for both lipoproteins. The uptake appeared to occur primarily in the hepatic parenchymal cell. Addition of human C-III-1 apoprotein to the rat apoE-rich high density lipoprotein inhibited the hepatic uptake of its constituents.

Animals↗

Effect of apoproteins on hepatic uptake of triglyceride emulsions in the rat.

The addition of apoprotein E isolated from human very low density lipoproteins to both rat lymph chylomicrons and a triglyceride emulsion significantly increased the hepatic uptake of these particles in a nonrecycling isolated rat liver perfusion system. The cleared triglyceride was removed without apparent hydrolysis by the hepatocyte. When lymph chylomicrons were loaded with both Apo E and Apo C proteins by exposure to rat plasma, no increment in hepatic clearance was observed. Sequential evalutions of the influence of the C apoproteins on the hepatic clearance of both emulsions and chylomicrons revealed that the CIII (CIII-1) protein had a pronounced inhibitory effect on hepatic removal. The inhibition was observed for both Apo E-enriched chylomicrons and those containing little of this apoprotein.

Animals↗