Biomedical subjects

T Pryor

Publications and source records attributed to T Pryor.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1987

Bringing HELP to the clinical laboratory--use of an expert system to provide automatic interpretation of laboratory data.

In domains where the types of data which are to be interpreted are relatively constrained (as in the case of specific laboratory test results), our modular data-driven approach can be very productive and well received by the clinical recipient of the data. The computer rarely surpasses the knowledge of an experts result from lack of communication, imperfect memory, oversight or multiple decision-makers caring for the same patient. In such cases, most of the alerts are immediately recognized as valid, so the need for elaborate explanations is not a high priority. On the other hand, a non-specialist is alerted to the need for additional investigation, tests or collaborative support, by the fact that a reminder or diagnosis that s/he had not previously considered, appears. In other words, for the expert, a data-driven system provides unceasing oversight in high-volume low-yielded situations where a small number of mistakes may uncommonly occur for reasons which are not related to the lack of knowledge of the provider. For the non-specialist the system suggests that the patient may have problems in a domain for which the physician needs additional support. In the present state of the art, we do not think that total reliance on the computer-contained knowledge is the ultimate source of this additional support; providing the awareness of the need may be the most important contribution. Once you know that you need help, it is usually obtainable. In a discussion about how computer systems have failed, Friedman and Gustafson made the following observation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Decision Making, Computer-Assisted↗

PubMed1973

The genetic control and biochemical modification of catechol oxidase in maize.

Three isozyme variants of catechol oxidase have been shown to be determined by alleles of a gene, Cx, which has been located on chromosome 10 less than 0.1 recombination units from the endosperm marker du(1).-The extractable form of the enzyme is modified by an endogeneous "modifier" which appears to function as an enzyme substrate. Enzyme and modifier are functionally isolated in intact cells. Modified enzyme has altered kinetics, does not migrate in electrophoresis and most probably results from a "tanning" of the enzyme by reaction products. The content of modifier varies in different lines and is genetically determined by gene(s) independent of Cx. Treatment with maleic hydrazide causes a ten-fold reduction in the modifier content of seedlings, allowing the enzyme to be extracted in an unmodified form which will migrate in electrophoresis.-This system of enzyme and modifier fits the requirements of hypersensitive disease resistance in plants and may provide a test system to investigate the biochemical basis of disease resistance.

Binding Sites↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Substance use and impulsive behaviors among adolescents with eating disorders.

Results of past research suggest that the existence of bulimic behaviors (binge eating and/or purging) may be an indicator of increased likelihood of substance use. We investigated incidence of substance use among adolescent girls (mean age = 15.4 years) with anorexia nervosa (n = 59) or bulimia nervosa (n = 58). The incidence of substance use among girls with anorexia nervosa was low, particularly after removing those anorexic adolescents with bulimic symptoms. Nearly one-third of girls with bulimia nervosa had smoked tobacco cigarettes, had used marijuana, and were drinking alcohol at least weekly. Among those exhibiting bulimic symptoms, increased experience with use of different substances was related to increased incidence of attempted suicide, stealing, and sexual intercourse but was unrelated to age or incidence of intentional self-harm behavior. Our findings are discussed in relation to the results of past research and the clinical implications of our data.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Rapid hepatocyte spheroid formation: optimization and long-term function in perfused microcapsules.

Enhancement of cell-cell interactions and, hence, long-term function in liver support systems can be effected by controlling the diameters of hepatocyte aggregates or spheroids. In this study, primary rat hepatocytes were induced to rapidly form spheroids using an intermittent settling and agitation protocol. The cells were seeded into albumin coated flasks at densities ranging from 80,000 to 520,000 cells/cm2. Hepatocytes were resuspended for 15 sec at 20-min intervals by placing the flasks on a timer controlled linear shaker. At time points ranging from 8 to 24 hr, hepatocyte aggregates were imaged via light microscopy. Mean spheroid diameter and shape factor were determined using computer analysis of captured images. Spheroid diameter could be controlled within the range of 60 to 240 microns. For long-term evaluation, spheroids were microencapsulated and cultured for 21 days under perfusion conditions. Encapsulated spheroids secreted albumin at rates comparable to collagen sandwich control cultures for at least 14 days, with peak rates (approximately 80 microns/day/10(6) cells) exhibited after culture medium changes. The results show that controlled, high efficiency hepatocyte aggregation can be accomplished in as little as 8 hr, and that the encapsulated spheroids exhibit long-term in vitro function.

Albumins↗