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Biomedical subjects

K Franco

Publications and source records attributed to K Franco.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Expression of alpha isoforms of the Na,K-ATPase in human heart.

We studied expression of isoforms of Na,K-ATPase in normal and diseased human hearts. Na,K-ATPase alpha-isoform mRNA in samples from normal human left ventricle (LV) was composed of 62.5%, alpha 1, 15% alpha 2 and 22.5% alpha 3 on average. There was an increase in expression of the alpha 3 isoform in samples from failing hearts, but expression of all three isoforms decreased in pressure-overloaded right ventricle (RV).

Animals

Rumination: the eating disorder of infancy.

Rumination is a relatively rare, potentially fatal syndrome in infants. This article reviews the historical and current treatment of rumination. Two cases are presented: a six-month-old who narrowly escaped surgery when the disorder was not recognized, and a complicated case from the neonatology intensive care unit. Environmental changes and enhanced mothering are described as being critical to correction of rumination and appropriate weight gain.

Developmental Disabilities

Bronchogenic cyst: a case report emphasizing the role of magnetic resonance imaging.

The article describes a patient with a right paratracheal bronchogenic cyst in whom the preoperative diagnosis was unclear. The fluid component of the cyst was not readily apparent by CT or T1-weighted MR images. Very intense signal on T2-weighted MR images suggested a cystic lesion. Inhomogeneities evident on MR but not CT images provided further soft tissue characterization. These soft tissue elements correlated with a macroscopic ring of hyaline cartilage in the resected specimen. The usefulness of MRI for the differential diagnosis of mediastinal tumors is discussed.

Adult

Anniversary reactions and due date responses following abortion.

Of 83 women who responded to surveys exploring postabortion coping, 30 women reported anniversary reactions associated with the abortion or due date. Women in the anniversary reaction group more often reported ambivalence about the decision to abort (p less than 0.007). This group also acknowledged fewer suicidal thoughts and attempts, but expressed more concern about verbally abusing their children (p less than 0.04). Strong trends toward dependency and somatoform disorders were present among anniversary group members (p less than 0.06). The authors recommend that physicians be alert to the possibility of hidden anniversary reactions of both physical and emotional nature during patient evaluation.

Abortion, Induced

Abortion in adolescence.

Sexual attitudes and behavior of adolescent females have been the topic of much interest over the past decade. Feelings about contraception, conception, and abortion have been described in relation to the adolescents' beliefs about the possibility of becoming pregnant, who will or will not "protect" them, and the influence of significant others on their decision making. This study explores differences in 35 women who had abortions during their teenage years with 36 women whose abortions occurred after the age of twenty. A demographic questionnaire, the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory, and the Beck Depression Inventory were completed by women who were members of a patient-led support group. Premorbid psychiatric histories, the decision-making process itself, and distressing symptoms postabortion are reported. Specific differences in perceptions of coercion, preabortion suicidal ideation, and nightmares post-abortion were found in the adolescent group. Antisocial and paranoid personality disorders as well as drug abuse and psychotic delusions were found to be significantly higher in the group who aborted as teenagers. Hypotheses regarding the influences of adolescent development on mother/child relationships, power struggles, and the use of fantasy as a coping device are explored.

Abortion, Induced

Effects of CGS-13080, a thromboxane inhibitor, on pulmonary vascular resistance in patients after mitral valve replacement surgery.

Pulmonary hypertension with an elevated pulmonary vascular resistance was observed during the immediate recovery period in patients who underwent mitral valve surgery. In eight such patients, intravenous infusion of CGS-13080, imidazo(1,5-a)pyridine-5-hexanoic acid (a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor), at a dose range of 0.08-0.1 mg/kg/hr, effectively reduced pulmonary hypertension (from a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of 36 +/- 2 to 31 +/- 2 torr) and pulmonary vascular resistance (from 339 +/- 38 to 238 +/- 37 dynes.sec.cm-5) within 30 minutes and remained reduced for the entire infusion period (48 hours in five patients and 18 hours in three patients). Mean arterial pressure or systemic vascular resistance were not significantly affected by the drug infusion. Serum thromboxane B2 levels (a stable metabolic product of thromboxane A2) were significantly reduced after administration of the compound, with the maximum effect of greater than 90% reduction. All patients tolerated the drug infusion without significant side effects.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha

Conflicts associated with physicians' pregnancies.

The authors surveyed clinical faculty and residents in one medical school to assess perceived stress related to working with a pregnant colleague. The majority acknowledged stress to themselves and their departments yet indicated that pregnancy had a humanizing effect on the work environment. Although most felt that the pregnant physician maintained her professional interests and efficiency, one-third reported women of childbearing age to be a hiring risk. A higher percentage of faculty than residents favored special considerations for pregnant physicians. The authors explore age, sex, and departmental differences and suggest that pregnancy in a physician generates conflicts in her colleagues.

Adult

The familial ovarian cancer registry: progress report.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer can be cured if detected early enough, but usually has already metastasized when diagnosed. A family history of ovarian cancer is still the strongest known risk factor. OBJECTIVE: To identify women at risk for ovarian cancer and design a program of surveillance. METHODS: Prospective registry of women with a family history of ovarian cancer. RESULT: From April 1991 to July 1993, 137 women (119 families), mean age 43, registered with the Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry. The 119 pedigrees revealed 171 cases of ovarian cancer. Only one family is undocumented by pathology. Forty of 137 registrants have more than one relative with ovarian cancer. Six percent of pelvic examinations were abnormal for potential adnexal disease. In 4% of registrants, initial CA125 concentrations were abnormal. Ultrasound examinations were abnormal in ovarian size (5%), in morphology (3%), and by resistive indices (4%). Four ultrasounds were repeated earlier than routine. Using "standard" fees, the total cost to diagnose the one case of ovarian cancer discovered was $68,848. CONCLUSIONS: This approach still cannot be considered cost-effective. We are continuing to search for genetic and molecular markers of disease in women at greatest risk and in their affected relatives.

Adult