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Biomedical subjects

A Galloway

Publications and source records attributed to A Galloway.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Stromelysin 1, neutrophil collagenase, and collagenase 3 do not play major roles in a model of chondrocyte mediated cartilage breakdown.

AIMS: To determine the collective roles of stromelysin 1, neutrophil collagenase, and collagenase 3 in chondrocyte mediated cartilage proteoglycan and type II collagen degradation in tissue culture model systems. METHODS: Bovine nasal cartilage explants were cultured with and without recombinant human interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), recombinant human tumour necrosis factor alpha, or retinoic acid. Proteoglycan and type II collagen release were determined by colorimetric assay and immunoassay, respectively, in the absence and presence of matrixin inhibitors. Potential toxic effects of the inhibitors were assessed by measuring rates of glycolysis. RESULTS: Loss of proteoglycan and type II collagen from nasal cartilage was inhibited by batimastat, a broad spectrum matrixin inhibitor. BB-3437, a selective inhibitor of stromelysin, neutrophil collagenase, and collagenase 3, at the concentrations used in this study, showed a weak but dose dependent inhibitory effect on the IL-1 stimulated degradation of type II collagen, but had virtually no effect on proteoglycan breakdown. Neither inhibitor affected rates of glycolysis. CONCLUSIONS: Stromelysin 1, neutrophil collagenase, and collagenase 3 are unlikely to contribute to chondrocyte mediated proteoglycan degradation in our model system. The modest effect of a selective inhibitor of these enzymes on IL-1 stimulated collagen breakdown suggests a minor role for one or more of these proteinases; potent inhibition by an inhibitor of interstitial collagenase and the gelatinases suggests that these enzymes play a major role in IL-1 stimulated, chondrocyte mediated type II collagen breakdown from nasal cartilage.

Amides↗

Biological and chemical hazards of forensic skeletal analysis.

In the course of conducting forensic analysis of human skeletal material, anthropologists are exposed to a number of biological and chemical hazards. This paper reviews the primary concerns in terms of infection or exposure. Handling of human tissue provides an avenue through which bloodborne pathogens may be transported. Scene recovery also includes a set of hazards through exposure to human, animal and soil vectors. Basic personnel protection and laboratory procedures should be established for the protection of all personnel involved in this work.

Blood-Borne Pathogens↗

Analysis of neurotrophin/receptor interactions with a gD-flag-modified quantitative kinase receptor activation (gD.KIRA) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

A rapid, sensitive, and high-capacity assay has been developed to quantify ligand-induced receptor tyrosine kinase activation in terms of receptor phosphorylation. The assay, termed a "kinase receptor activation" or KIRA-ELISA, utilizes two separate microtiter plates, one for cell culture and ligand stimulation, and the other for receptor capture and phosphotyrosine ELISA. The assay was developed for analysis of neurotrophin-induced trkA, trkB, or trkC activation. It utilizes a trkA, trkB, or trkC receptor fused with a 26-amino-acid polypeptide flag derived from HSV glycoprotein D (gD.trkA, B, or C, respectively) on the amino-terminus, stably transfected into CHO cells. Stimulated receptors were solubilized with Triton X-100 buffer and then captured in ELISA wells coated with gD-specific mAb. The degree of receptor autophosphorylation was quantified by anti-phosphotyrosine ELISA. Reproducible standard curves were generated with an EC50 of approximately 16 ng/ml NGF for gD.trkA KIRA, 11 ng/ml for NT4/5 and 20 ng/ml for BDNF in gD.trkB KIRA, and 9.4 ng/ml for NT3 in gD.trkC KIRA. When the gD.trkA KIRA assay was used to quantify serum NGF or NT3 following administration to rats, the assay agreed well with currently existing ELISA assays. When the gD.trkA KIRA assay was used to test several NGF variants, as well as NGF stability samples, the capacity of the assay to quantify ligand bioactivity compared well with the more widely used radioreceptor binding and PC 12 cell survival assays. The gD.trk KIRA assays show great potential as rapid bioassays, capable of quantitative, consistent, and stability indicating analyses.

Animals↗

Bone mineral density and survival of elements and element portions in the bones of the Crow Creek massacre victims.

The interpretation of archaeologically-derived skeletal series is dependent on the elements and portions of elements preserved for examination. Bone and bone portion survival is affected by factors, both intrinsic and extrinsic to the elements themselves, that influence deterioration and preservation. Among the intrinsic variables, the density of the element and element portion are particularly important with respect to the degree of preservation. Recently reported bone mineral density values from a contemporary human sample are compared to the survival of prehistoric limb bones of the Crow Creek specimens, a fourteenth-century massacre skeletal series. The contemporary density values are positively correlated with Crow Creek element and element portion survival. Two calculations of bone mineral density, however, are more closely related to preservation than a third. Such density information has implications for assessing minimum number of elements and individuals and documenting taphonomic processes.

Adolescent↗

Infant tufted capuchin monkeys' behaviour with novel foods: opportunism, not selectivity

To determine whether young capuchin monkeys, Cebus apellaselectively interacted with others concerning novel foods, 11 infants (4.5-12 months) living in two groups were observed following presentation of familiar or novel foods. Foods were presented either to the whole group or to infants in a section of the home cage to which only they had access. Infants showed more frequent interest in others' food and picked up foods more frequently when foods were novel, and they tended to eat novel foods more frequently than familiar foods. The pattern was the same whether the foods were presented to the group or only to infants. Infants expressed interest in others' novel foods equally often before and after sampling these foods themselves. The frequency of interest in others' food correlated positively with age. It is concluded that acceptance of novel foods in these monkeys occurs readily regardless of socially provided information about edibility. Social interactions do not appear to make important contributions to acceptance of novel foods by infant capuchin monkeys.

Journal Article↗

A survey of the incidence and care of postoperative wound infections in the community.

The incidence of postoperative wound infection after clean surgery in the four weeks following early discharge from hospital and its effect on community medical services have been studied prospectively. The wound infection rate as assessed by 118/155 patients who responded to a postoperative questionnaire was 9%; half of the wound problems presented after discharge. Postoperative wound infection increased the time spent by general practitioners per patient twofold, and that of practice/district nurses > or = fivefold.

Adult↗

Prevention of urinary tract infection in patients with spinal cord injury--a microbiological review.

The importance of urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients with spinal cord injury cannot be understated. Many patients with significant bacteriuria are considered to be colonised rather than infected, and treatment should be reserved for those with clinical symptoms or other signs of infection. Published research on the prevention and management of UTI in patients with spinal cord injury often has limitations due to differences in definitions of UTI, studies on groups using different urinary drainage appliances, the mixture of newly injured and longstanding injured patients and studies being carried out predominantly on male patients. The complications due to UTI and the difficulties in treating established infection mean that prevention is essential. Close urological follow-up is crucial in ensuring that adequate bladder drainage is achieved avoiding the use of long term indwelling urinary catheters if at all possible. For those patients who require long term urinary appliances patient education and strict attention to hygiene and catheter care policies is important. The role of antiseptic/ antibiotics is strictly limited in preventing UTI in patients with spinal cord injury and may even be harmful. Further study into which groups of patients may benefit from the use of antiseptics or antibiotics is urgently required. Continued research into different methods of prevention eg by vaccination, immunotherapy, the use of receptor analogues and bladder interference should also be encouraged.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Perioperative morbidity and mortality in combined vs. staged approaches to carotid and coronary revascularization.

Between 1986 and 1994 we identified 57 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) during the same hospitalization. Simultaneous CABG and CEA was performed in 28 patients (mean age 70.5 years, 58% male). Indications for CABG in these patients were myocardial infarction in two crescendo angina in 19, congestive heart failure in two and left main or triple-vessel coronary artery disease noted during carotid preoperative evaluation in five. Indications for CEA were transient ischemic attack (TIA) in 12, crescendo TIA in six, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) in five, and asymptomatic stenosis in five. There were no postoperative myocardial infarctions or perioperative deaths. Two patients developed atrial fibrillation, and four patients had CVAs (two were ipsilateral to the side of CEA). Twenty-nine patients underwent staged procedures (i.e., not performed concomitantly but during the same hospitalization). Indications for CABG and CEA were comparable to those in the group undergoing simultaneous procedures. In 17 patients CEA was performed before CABG. There was a single CVA, the result of an intracerebral hemorrhage. Five of the 17 patients had a myocardial infarction and two died; one patient had first-degree heart block requiring a pacemaker. Four additional patients developed atrial fibrillation, one of whom required cardioversion. The remaining 12 patients had CABG followed by CEA. There were no CVAs, myocardial infarctions, arrhythmias, or deaths in this subgroup. These data demonstrate that the performance of simultaneous CABG and CEA procedures is associated with increased neurologic morbidity (14.3%), both ipsilateral and contralateral to the side of carotid surgery in contrast to staged CABG and CEA (3.4%). In addition, when staged carotid surgery preceded coronary revascularization in those with severe coronary artery disease, the combined cardiac complication and mortality rate was significantly higher than when coronary revascularization preceded CEA. This evidence suggests that when CABG and CEA must be performed during the same hospitalization, the procedures should be staged with CABG preceding CEA.

Aged↗

An audit of the organisation of neonatal screening for phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism in the Northern Region.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of the study were to identify whether all districts in the Northern Region had a system in place to ensure that all resident babies were being screened for phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism and to identify potential delays which could influence whether a result was available on all residents before 28 days of age. METHODS: Lead professionals involved in the screening programmes were interviewed in 1993 in all 16 districts. Recommendations for improving the service were made to each district. Six months later a follow up telephone interview with the doctor involved in the screening programmes was undertaken to identify the changes that had been made in the service. RESULTS: In 1993 three districts made no attempt to match neonatal screening results to birth notifications. Of the 13 districts that undertook matching, two districts did no further checks to identify babies without a result and five districts undertook a check on a monthly basis only. Only six districts were, therefore, found to have a timely fail-safe system for checking that results were available for resident babies. In 1994, following recommendations to improve the timeliness and completeness of the screening programmes, all districts except two had improved their fail-safe systems. CONCLUSION: This multi-disciplinary regional audit resulted in organisational improvements to the neonatal metabolic screening programmes in the Northern Region.

Appointments and Schedules↗

An outbreak of group C streptococcal infection in a maternity unit.

An outbreak of Group C streptococcal infection (Streptococcus equisimilis serotype T204) occurred in a Maternity Unit in Durham over a 2-week period. The outbreak strain possessed an M-protein antigen identical to that found in a previously reported Maternity Unit outbreak. Seven patients in total were affected, and in two patients infected perineal wounds took several weeks to heal. The source of the outbreak appeared to be a patient who developed a perineal wound infection and who subsequently returned to the ward for reassessment. Environmental contamination is likely to have been the reservoir of infection for the subsequent patients. The outbreak was controlled by applying strict infection control procedures and establishing a high standard of routine cleaning.

Cross Infection↗

An out-patient nutritional supplementation programme in COPD patients.

Studies that have assessed the role of nutritional supplementation in patients with emphysematous chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have shown conflicting results. Improved respiratory muscle strength and exercise capacity have been demonstrated following intensive and costly nutritional support programmes under controlled conditions. We have evaluated a simple programme of out-patient nutritional support in a clinical setting. Twelve malnourished COPD patients (9 male and 3 female; mean age 66 yrs; < 90% ideal body weight) were studied. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), estimation of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) during exercise, respiratory muscle strength (PImax and PEmax), and measurement of body weight, height, triceps skinfold thickness, and mid-arm muscle circumference were performed before and after a 4 month period of out-patient nutritional support. Patients were advised by a dietician on increasing their daily caloric intake by a minimum of 50% above estimated daily energy expenditure. Three patients withdrew from the study. The mean increase in body weight in the nine remaining patients after 4 months of supplementation was 0.3 kg. There was no significant improvement in the anthropometric measures, lung function, respiratory muscle strength or VO2max for the group as a whole. Three patients who gained more than 1 kg weight were from a higher socioeconomic background compared with those who failed to do so. We conclude that achieving weight gain and improving lung function by means of simple out-patient nutritional programmes in a clinical setting is difficult.

Aged↗