University of Arkansas Medical Center

About: University of Arkansas Medical Center is a healthcare organization based out in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Circadian rhythm & Vitamin E. The organization has 651 authors who have published 540 publications receiving 13804 citations.

Cryptococcosis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Negative Patients in the Era of Effective Azole Therapy

Abstract: We conducted a case study of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative patients with cryptococcosis at 15 United States medical centers from 1990 through 1996 to understand the demographics, therapeutic approach, and factors associated with poor prognosis in this population. Of 306 patients with cryptococcosis, there were 109 with pulmonary involvement, 157 with central nervous system (CNS) involvement, and 40 with involvement at other sites. Seventy-nine percent had a significant underlying condition. Patients with pulmonary disease were usually treated initially with fluconazole (63%); patients with CNS disease generally received amphotericin B (92%). Fluconazole was administered to approximately two-thirds of patients with CNS disease for consolidation therapy. Therapy was successful for 74% of patients. Significant predictors of mortality in multivariate analysis included age > or =60 years, hematologic malignancy, and organ failure. Overall mortality was 30%, and mortality attributable to cryptococcosis was 12%. Cryptococcosis continues to be an important infection in HIV-negative patients and is associated with substantial overall and cause-specific mortality.

Characterization of plasma lipoproteins separated and purified by agarose-column chromatography.

Abstract: 1. A simple method for isolation of individual human plasma lipoprotein classes is presented. In this technique, lipoproteins are removed from plasma at d1.225 by ultracentrifugation, after which they are separated and purified by agarose-column chromatography. 2. Three major classes are obtained after agarose-column chromatography. Separation between classes is excellent; more than 95% of the lipoproteins eluted from the column are recovered in the form of a purified lipoprotein class. 3. Each lipoprotein class was characterized immunologically, chemically, electrophoretically and by electron microscopy. A comparison of the properties of the column-isolated lipoproteins was made with very-low-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoproteins, and high-density lipoproteins separated by sequential ultracentrifugation at densities of 1.006, 1.063 and 1.21 respectively. 4. By each criterion, peak-I lipoproteins from the agarose column are the same as very-low-density lipoproteins, peak-II lipoproteins are the same as low-density lipoproteins, and peak-III lipoproteins are the same as high-density lipoproteins. Thus the lipoprotein classes isolated by both methods are similar if not identical. 5. The agarose-column separation technique offers the advantage of a two- to three-fold saving in time. In addition, the column-elution pattern serves as a recording of the size distribution of lipoproteins in plasma. 6. The most complete characterization is reported for human plasma lipoproteins. The results with rhesus-monkey and rabbit lipoproteins were identical.

Tibiofemoral contact area--determination and implications.

Abstract: We have presented a roentgenographic method of determining the area of contact of the femur on the medial and lateral tibial plateaus. The area of contact on both tibial plateaus decreases throughout the first 35 degrees of flexion. The average area of contact on the medial plateau was 1.6 times greater than the area on the lateral plateau. This relationship remained constant through the first 35 degrees of flexion. The ratio of the medial and lateral contact areas is applicable to the study of clinical problems.