Biomedical subjects

R Hsu

Publications and source records attributed to R Hsu.

59 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1975

The amino acid sequence of a testis-specific basic protein that is associated with spermatogenesis.

The amino acid sequence of the COOH-terminal cyanogen bromide fragment (residues 12 to 54) of the testis-specific basic protein of the rat has been determined. This analysis completes the primary structure of the whole protein by over-lapping the sequence of the 23 residues from the NH-2 terminus previously published (Kistler, W. S., Noyes, C., and Heinrikson, R.L. (1974) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 57, 341-347). The complete sequence of this small, highly basic protein is: (see article for formular).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1975

Extensive homology between the subunits of the phytohemagglutinin mitogenic proteins derived from Phaseolus vulgaris.

The phytohemagglutinin mitogenic proteins derived from Phaseolus vulgaris comprise a class of five glycoproteins that are isomeric tetramers composed of varying proportions of two different subunits (L and R). Within the native tetramer, the L subunit is a potent leukoagglutinin and mitogen that lacks hemagglutinating properties, whereas the R subunit is a potent hemagglutinin with little or no mitogenic activity. The subunits have been isolated in homogeneous form by isoelectric focusing in 8 M urea. Previous work has shown that they have equal molecular weights and differ in amino-acid sequence from residues 1-7, but are identical in positions 8-24 [(1973) J. Exp. Med. 138, 939-951]. We now report amino-acid composition studies which reveal striking similarities between the subunits. Both lack methionine and cysteine. The twelfth residue in each subunit is a glycosylated asparagine, with the identical carbohydrate composition in each. The last three residues of the subunits, as determined by carboxypeptidase A digestion, are identical. Tryptic peptide mapping of the succinylated phytohemagglutinin subunits reveals a high degree of similarity. We conclude that the substantial difference in biological properties among the tetrameric phytohemagglutinin mitogens is a result of relatively restricted differences in the primary structure of their constituent subunits.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reproducible demonstration of blood flow at duodenal ulcer margins by endoscopic reflectance spectrophotometry.

Changes in gastrointestinal mucosal blood flow were evaluated by index of oxygen saturation (ISO2) and index of hemoglobin concentration (IHB) measured with a reflectance spectrophotometer. This report examined the reproducibility of endoscopic measurements of ISO2 and IHB. Study 1: The everted stomachs of three anesthetized rats provided hands-on instruction (one teacher and three learners). Six sets of readings were obtained endoscopically (the mean calculated to give the measurement) at each level of gastric mucosal perfusion when gastric blood flow was varied by withdrawing blood from the carotid artery. Study 2: Fourteen duodenal ulcer patients with ulcer bleeding were transfused and stabilized. Two endoscopists (one teacher and one learner) took turns to obtain endoscopic ISO2 and IHB measurements at the margin of the ulcer and at the adjacent normal appearing mucosa. delta ISO2 was calculated as the ulcer margin value minus adjacent mucosa value. In study 1, the correlation coefficients between the ISO2 measurements of the experienced and those of the other three observers were 0.99, 0.97, and 0.97, respectively. In study 2, the correlation coefficients between the ISO2 measurements obtained at the ulcer margin and at the adjacent normal mucosa, and delta ISO2 obtained by the experienced observer and one of the three learners were 0.94, 0.97, and 0.94, respectively. Relative to the adjacent area, 79% of the duodenal ulcers studied had increased (+delta ISO2), and 21% had decreased blood flow (-delta ISO2) at the ulcer margins. IHB measurements were less reproducible, particularly at the ulcer margin. The measurements of ISO2 and delta ISO2 were reproducible in the everted rat stomach and in duodenal ulcer patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Endoscopic assessment of blood flow in duodenal ulcers.

The importance of blood flow in duodenal ulcer healing is unclear. Endoscopic reflectance spectrophotometry measures the index of oxygen saturation (ISO2), which is significantly correlated with blood flow. In 97 consecutive patients who presented with duodenal ulcer bleeding, the difference in the index of oxygen saturation (delta ISO2: ulcer margin ISO2 minus adjacent mucosa ISO2) was determined during the initial endoscopic examination. Endoscopic examinations were repeated until the ulcers had healed (n = 86). Relative to the adjacent mucosa, 78% of the ulcer margins had increased blood flow (positive delta ISO2) and 22% had decreased blood flow (negative delta ISO2). Stepwise multi-linear regression analysis selected delta ISO2, ulcer size, and stigmata of recent hemorrhage as predictors of delayed healing. A significant negative linear correlation between delta ISO2 and ulcer healing time (r = -0.35, p < 0.001, n = 86) was demonstrated. The scatter in the data precludes prediction of ulcer healing based on delta ISO2 measurement in an individual patient. Multi-variate logistic regression analysis selected concurrent medical illness, duodenal deformity, frequent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and stigmata of recent hemorrhage as factors significantly associated with delayed (longer than 5 weeks) ulcer healing. The results support the hypothesis that prognostic factors are identifiable at the time of ulcer diagnosis, even in patients who present with bleeding. Blood flow remains an equivocal factor that deserves to be re-studied taking multiple measurements around the ulcer and including a larger number of slow healers.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Red blood cell mechanics and functional capillary density.

The relationship between red blood cell mechanics and functional capillary density is examined. Experimental observations of capillary recruitment in skeletal muscle have shown sequential recruitment and derecruitment of capillaries fed by a single arteriole, implying that flow may cease in individual capillaries at small nonzero driving pressures. Such behavior is not expected in uniform blood-perfused tubes, but could occur when moving red cells encounter geometrical irregularities in capillaries. From known elastic properties of the red cell membrane, a lower bound is computed for the pressure required to sustain red cell motion in irregular capillaries. This may be an underestimate of the pressure required, because it neglects the viscous resistance of the red cell membrane when it undergoes transient deformations. Simulations including membrane viscosity show that viscous effects can substantially increase flow resistance. It is concluded that the mechanical properties of red blood cells can play a significant role in the modulation of functional capillary density.

Animals↗