Surgical management of complications of endoscopic sphincterotomy with precut papillotomy.

We reviewed 574 endoscopic sphincterotomy procedures. Fifty-six precut papillotomies were performed. Presenting conditions included choledocholithiasis, cholangitis, benign and malignant papillary strictures, and stenosing papillitis.

Combined antegrade/retrograde cardioplegia for myocardial protection: a clinical trial.

The role of retrograde coronary sinus perfusion in the preservation of ischemic myocardium is controversial. We evaluated the use of combined antegrade and retrograde cardioplegia in 59 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Nineteen patients were administered antegrade cardioplegia, whereas 40 patients were administered antegrade plus retrograde cardioplegia.

Inhibition of reverse transcriptases by flavonoids.

Selected naturally occurring flavonoids were shown to inhibit three reverse transcriptases (RT): avian myeloblastosis (AMV) RT, Rous-associated virus-2 (RAV-2) RT and Maloney murine leukemia virus (MMLV) RT when poly (rA)oligo(dT)12-18 or rabbit globin mRNA were used as template. Amentoflavone, scutellarein and quercetin were the most active compounds and their effect was concentration-dependent. The enzymes exhibited differential sensitivity to the inhibitory effects of the flavonoids.

Protein kinase C inhibition by plant flavonoids. Kinetic mechanisms and structure-activity relationships.

Protein kinase C (PKC) from rat brain was inhibited by plant flavonoids in a concentration-dependent manner depending on flavonoid structure. Of the fifteen flavonoids studied, fisetin, quercetin and luteolin were the most potent, while hesperetin, taxifolin and rutin were among the least potent. The flavonol fisetin was almost 100% inhibitory at a concentration of 100 microM.

Effective staff communications in a large I.C.U.

A byproduct of the Quality Assurance process is the continual review of individual and group practice. The aim is to eliminate errors and to improve care. For managers and directors to know what issues are currently important to the staff members an upward channel of communication is also needed.

Calbindin-D9k stimulates the calcium pump in rat enterocyte basolateral membranes.

Calbindin-D9k, a vitamin D-dependent Ca2+-binding protein, is closely associated with the transcellular absorption of calcium by mammalian enterocytes. Studies were performed to determine whether physiological concentrations of calbindin-D9k altered Ca2+ transport by the ATP-dependent Ca2+ pump in rat duodenal basolateral membrane vesicles. In solutions where free Ca2+ was buffered by EGTA, only a small stimulation of Ca2+ uptake rates could be demonstrated, and it was likely that this was secondary to changes in free Ca2+ concentration.

Identification and isolation of the phosphorylated intermediate of the calcium pump in rat intestinal basolateral membranes.

Transport of Ca2+ by the ATP-dependent Ca2+ pump has been demonstrated previously in rat intestinal basolateral-membrane vesicles. To identify the Ca2+-pump protein, duodenal basolateral membranes were phosphorylated with [gamma-32P]ATP in the presence of Ca2+ and La3+, under conditions conducive for maximal formation of the phosphorylated intermediate of the Ca2+ pump. Four major phosphoprotein bands were seen on autoradiograms of acidic SDS/polyacrylamide gels; the properties of a phosphoprotein (pp) at 130 kDa (pp130) were consistent with those expected for the plasma-membrane Ca2+ pump.

Some biological properties of plant flavonoids.

The flavonoids are a large group of naturally occurring low molecular weight substances found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, flowers, and roots as well as wine and teas. They are consumed in the Western diet to the extent of about 1 gram per day. Flavonoids affect many mammalian cellular functions and enzyme systems.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: 20 years experience using CVFMP chemotherapy.

In late 1963, we embarked on a program that combined oral prednisone and oral cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) with intravenous (IV) vincristine, fluorouracil, and methotrexate (CVFMP). The initial 60 patients had an 80% response. Since then, a multitude of different combinations and variations in drug dosage and timing have been used.

Regulatory effects of Ca-binding proteins on the Ca-pump of rat intestinal basolateral membranes.

1. CaBP-9k affected Ca uptake by actions on both the apparent affinity of the pump for Ca and on the maximum Ca transport rate giving stimulation or inhibition at different Ca concentrations. 2.