Biomedical subjects

S Widell

Publications and source records attributed to S Widell.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1987

Balloon-like platelets in myelodysplastic syndromes--a feature of dysmegakaryopoiesis?

Large bizarre platelets are a frequent finding in the peripheral blood of the myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). In this study we describe a distinct subpopulation of platelets in MDS which by phase contrast microscopic examination seems to have a balloon-shaped bulge of the cell membrane. Increased numbers of these atypical platelets were found in 24 of 27 MDS patients (89%). Only 3 patients, all with ringsideroblastic anemia, had normal platelet morphology. The number of atypical platelets were negatively correlated (r = 0.44; p = 0.021) to the peripheral platelet counts in MDS. Among 48 patients with acute leukemia, chronic lymphoproliferative or chronic myeloproliferative disorders, 13 (27%) had atypical platelets. Here, but not in the MDS group, atypical platelets seemed to be associated with recent chemotherapy. In a group of patients with benign hematological disorders abnormal platelet morphology was seen only occasionally. The described atypical platelets most likely reflect maturation disturbances of the megakaryopoiesis. An increased value (greater than 1%) in a cytopenic patient would suggest a diagnosis of MDS, unless associated with recent cytotoxic therapy.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1982

Plasma membranes from oats prepared by partition in an aqueous polymer two-phase system : on the use of light-induced cytochrome B reduction as a marker for the plasma membrane.

Presumptive plasma membrane fractions have been prepared from oat (Avena sativa L. cv. Brighton) roots and shoots, respectively, by partition of microsomal fractions in a dextran-polyethylene glycol two-phase system. The plasma membranes had a high affinity for the polyethylene glycol-rich upper phase, whereas membranes from mitochondria and other organelles partitioned in the dextran-rich lower phase or at the interface. Thus, relatively pure plasma membranes were obtained by only two partition steps, and within 3 hours from homogenization of the material.The plasma membranes from both organs were enriched in K(+)-stimulated Mg(2+)-dependent ATPase and glucan synthetase II, two tentative markers for the plant plasma membrane. Silicotungstic acid, an indicative stain for the plasma membrane, stained the vesicles recovered from the upper phase, but failed to stain the membranes partitioning in the lower phase or at the interface.The plasma membranes were also enriched in a light-reducible b-cytochrome. This b-cytochrome can be measured by its light-induced absorbance change and may serve as a marker for the plant plasma membrane.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1975

[Low milk fat syndrome in dairy cows. Field trial with potential fat content increasing substances (author's transl)].

In cases of low milk fat syndrome in dairy cows, in which no cause-factor could be found, a mixture of different potential fat content increasing substances was added to the feed, one group was fed 50 g NaHCO-3, 50 g MgO, 50 g urea and 100 g sodium bentonite mixed into 250 g of carrier per cow per day, while another group was fed the same mixture with sodium bentonite excluded. A third group was used as an untreated control. Fat content and milk yield were not positively influenced by these additives. The inclusion of sodium bentonite even seemed to result in a certain decrease of milk yield. In another similar trial, 150 g NaHCO-3 and 100 g MgO were fed, mixed into 250 g of carrier per cow per day. This improved the milk fat content when compared to an untreated control group. The increase was not significant. The milk yield, however, was significantly influenced by the addition. The yield increase in this trial was calculated to be approx. 2.0 kilos FCM per cow per day.

Animal Feed↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Actin gene sequence from Euglena gracilis.

The full length coding sequence of the Euglena gracilis actin gene was determined by RT-PCR of Euglena gracilis mRNA. Conserved regions in the actin amino acid sequence were used as guides for the synthesis of degenerate primers. Sequence was obtained for 1,238 nucleotides, of which 1,131 were coding for 377 amino acids. Sequence comparisons showed a similarity with other actins of 56% to 80%. Even though most of the actin amino acid sequence was conserved, some regions showed high divergence, i.e. the DNase I-binding loop at the N-terminal region. The construction of a phylogenetic tree based on actin sequences from different organisms placed Euglena gracilis in a cluster with Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major.

Actins↗