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L Bryant

Publications and source records attributed to L Bryant.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Isolation and characterization of a proteinase inhibitor from marama beans.

A protease inhibitor was purified from the African marama bean (Tylosema esculenturm). The inhibitor is present in large amounts, representing about 10.5% of the total protein. The molecular weight is slightly larger than soybean trypsin inhibitor and was estimated at 23,000 by SDS-gel electrophoresis or 24,500 by amino acid analysis. The amino acid composition was atypical of most other plant inhibitors with a cysteine content of only one or possibly two residues/mole and a blocked amino terminus. Inhibition studies indicated virtually no inhibition of chymotrypsin activity. Elastase, however, was inhibited to the same extent as trypsin, requiring about 2 moles of inhibitor for complete inhibition of the enzyme.

Amino Acids↗

Adaptation of human long-term B lymphoblastoid cell lines to chemically defined, serum-free media.

Attempts were made to adapt human long-term B lymphoblastoid cell lines to prolonged growth in serum-free, chemically defined media. A newly described medium, which is an enriched modification of Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing additional amino acids and vitamins, was used. The serum is totally replaced by albumin, transferrin, and soybean lipid. The cell lines were all adaptable from RPMI 1640 over a period of time during which the 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) concentration was reduced and then eliminated in successive steps. After 3 to 6 wk minor alterations in cell shape and adhesion were noted without significant histological changes. Growth characteristics were comparable in the new medium provided a double initial inoculum was used. A panel of cell surface markers, including surface immunoglobulins, Ia antigens, Fc and complement receptors, and T and B erythrocyte rosettes, all showed no altered expression. Molecular genotyping of Ia antigens was carried out by 3-D gel electrophoresis. The antigens showed their full polymorphism without change and were shed into the new culture medium without alteration. Chromosome analysis was performed on Q-banded karyotypes from one of the lines and showed no alteration resulting from the change to serum-free conditions. Thus long-term B lymphoblastoid cell lines can be adapted to prolonged growth in serum-free medium. This will facilitate the assay and isolation of cell products regulating lymphocyte function and the identification and characterization of cell surface molecules free of interference from undefined serum components.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Exploration of selected brachial plexus lesions by the posterior subscapular approach.

The application of an old surgical technique, previously employed for treatment of thoracic outlet syndromes, to lesions of the brachial plexus is discussed. Positioning of the patient, the surgical procedure, and selected indications for a posterior subscapular approach with resection of the first rib are discussed. The indications for the use of this approach are: proximal plexus lesions involving roots and/or trunks believed to be repairable, complicated thoracic outlet syndromes, prior anterior exploration for vascular or nervous structure disease, and progressive plexus palsy associated with damage to the soft tissue of the anterior chest wall and supraclavicular regions secondary to irradiation. The authors' experience to date with 12 such cases is presented in chart form, while five cases are presented in some detail.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of five rapid systems for the identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Five commercial kit systems for the rapid identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae were evaluated. The systems were tested with various pathogenic and saprophytic Neisseria and Branhamella strains having reactions typical for their individual species. Three systems (RIM-N, quadFERM, and RapID NH) were found to be 100% sensitive and specific.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗