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Biomedical subjects

R L Hess

Publications and source records attributed to R L Hess.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Apparent nutrient absorption and upper gastrointestinal transit with fiber-containing enteral feedings.

Upper gastrointestinal tract function in humans was investigated by studying the acute effects of supplementing enteral feedings with dietary fiber. Serum concentrations of folate, zinc, and glucose were determined at timed intervals for 4 h after ingestion of nutritionally complete liquid meals containing test doses of folate and Zn of two and six times the RDA, respectively, with or without addition of 10 or 15 g of soy polysaccharide fiber. Mouth-to-cecum transit time was determined by measuring breath hydrogen produced from lactulose added to the meals. Both levels of fiber significantly lengthened transit time. Serum folate concentrations were significantly lower from 45 to 150 min after one or both fiber-containing meals relative to the fiber-free meal. Only the higher-fiber meal significantly lowered serum Zn concentrations. This study demonstrated that dietary fiber can decrease apparent nutrient absorption and increase transit time in the upper gastrointestinal tract without affecting apparent glucose absorption.

Adult↗

Monoclonal antibodies against a specific surface determinant on malarial (Plasmodium knowlesi) merozoites block erythrocyte invasion.

Twelve hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies against Plasmodium knowlesi merozoites have been produced. Antibodies from 3 of the 12 lines agglutinated merozoites. The 2 monoclonal antibodies (13C11 and 16F8) that markedly agglutinated merozoites blocked merozoite invasion of erythrocytes. Of these 2 lines, the one that induced the most agglutination also blocked invasion most effectively. The third monoclonal antibody (53B3) caused minimal agglutination of merozoites and did not block invasion, nor did the other 9 nonagglutinating antibodies. The 2 blocking monoclonal antibodies bound to antigens around the entire surface of merozoites, as demonstrated by immunoelectron microscopy, and precipitated a single biosynthetically labeled protein of apparent m.w. of 250,000. None of the nonagglutinating lines precipitated this protein. Monoclonal antibodies 13C11 and 16F8 reacted with a common antigenic determinant on a Malaysian and a Philippine strain of P. knowlesi in that they blocked invasion and precipitated a 250,000 m.w. protein from both. Sera from immune monkeys also precipitated this 250,000 m.w. protein.

Agglutination↗

Improved colorimetric assay for glycosylated hemoglobin.

This colorimetric assay for glycosylated hemoglobin can be performed in 120 min with equipment available in most clinical laboratories. The glucose moiety of glycosylated hemoglobin is converted to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural by heating with oxalic acid for 60 min is an autoclave at 124 degrees C and 124 kPa (18 lb/in.2). The adduct formed by reacting 2-thiobarbituric acid with hydroxymethylfurfural is measured photometrically and results are expressed either as nanomoles of hydroxymethylfurfural or as fructose equivalents. Within-assay and between-assay coefficients of variation were less than 2% and less than 3%, respectively. Comparison of results for 50 patients' specimens as measured by the present assay and as analyzed for hemoglobin A1c by liquid chromatography showed excellent correlation (r = 0.98).

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Hemoglobin A1c levels in children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus.

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was measured as an indicator of glucose control in 180 children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus who received two daily injections of insulin as part of a highly structured treatment program. A total of 426 HbA1c determinations was made in the group of 180 patients. HbA1c values were elevated in most patients despite the aggressive treatment. The HbA1c level was very elevated at diagnosis, fell to near normal after 60-90 days of insulin therapy, increased gradually, and reached a plateau after approximately 4 yr duration (at about twice the level in normal subjects) (mean +/- SEM, 10.0 +/- 0.2% and 5.34 +/- 0.07%, respectively). Mean insulin dose (U/kg/24 h) paralleled both HbA1c and duration of diabetes. The relationship between endogenous insulin secretion and glucose control was examined in those patients with diabetes for longer than 5 yr. Patients were separated into three groups based on HbA1c levels: those with HbA1c less than 9% (N = 22), between 9 and 11% (N = 26), and greater than 11% (N = 28). Serum C-peptide and glucose concentrations were measured 2 h after a standard breakfast in those patients in the "low" and "high" HbA1c groups (mean HbA1c values 8.2% and 12.7%, respectively). C-peptide was detectable in all patients and the mean C-peptide levels did not differ significantly in the two groups, although postprandial glucose concentrations were significantly lower in the "low" HbA1c group (means +/- SEM, 96 +/- 11 and 211 +/- 21 mg/dl, respectively; P less than 0.001).

Adolescent↗