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Biomedical subjects

C Baxter

Publications and source records attributed to C Baxter.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Phosphorus bioavailability, growth performance, and nutrient balance in pigs fed high available phosphorus corn and phytase.

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate P bioavailability, growth performance, and nutrient balance in pigs fed high available P (HAP) corn with or without phytase. The bioavailability of P in normal and HAP corn relative to monosodiumphosphate (MSP) for pigs was assessed in Exp. 1. In a randomized complete block design, 96 pigs (average initial BW 9.75 kg) were fed eight diets for 28 d. The reference and test diets were formulated by adding P as MSP, HAP, or normal corn at 0, 0.75, or 1.5 g/kg to a corn-starch-soybean meal basal diet (2.5 g/kg P) at the expense of cornstarch. Plasma inorganic P concentration responded linearly (P < 0.05) to supplemental P intake. Estimates of P bioavailability from HAP andnormal corn when plasma P was regressed on supplemental P intake were 46 and 33%, respectively. In Exp. 2 and 3, pigs were fed corn-soybean meal-based diets containing HAP corn or normal corn and 0 or 600 units of phytase per kilogram in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (two corn sources and two levels of phytase). In Exp. 2, 48 crossbred pigs (barrow:gilt, 1:1) averaging 9.25 kg were used to evaluate growth performance. There were no detectable interactions between corn source and phytase for any of the performance criteria measured. Pigs receiving normal corn had the lowest (P < 0.05) BW and rate of gain. Feed efficiency was lower (P < 0.05) in pigs fed normal compared with those fed the HAP corn phytase-supplemented diet. In Exp. 3, 24 crossbred barrows averaging 14.0 kg were used to evaluate nutrient digestibility. There were no detectable interactions between corn and phytase for any of the N and Ca balance criteria. Nitrogen and Ca retention were improved in pigs receiving HAP corn with phytase (P < 0.05). Retention and digestibility of P was lowest (P < 0.01) for pigs on normal corn diet without phytase. The percentage of P digested and retained was improved and fecal P excretion lowered (P < 0.05) by feeding HAP corn. The results of this study indicate that the bioavailability and balance of P in HAP corn is superior to that of normal corn. The addition of 600 phytase units (Natuphos 600, BASF) to HAP corn-based diets further improved P digestibility and reduced P excretion in pigs.

6-Phytase↗

Sacral and ischial pressure ulcers: evaluation, treatment, and differentiation.

Although the cost of caring for pressure ulcers is enormous, few accepted standards of care exist in the fragmented specialty of wound care. This review attempts to establish a standardized approach to the evaluation and treatment of sacral and ischial wounds, and to describe some important differences. Topics reviewed include important elements of the history, physical, and laboratory studies of patients with wounds. Treatment issues are also addressed including wound care, pressure relief, and nutrition. The authors hope that the principles discussed will stimulate caregivers to examine their practices, and will serve as a starting point for formation of more exacting accepted care. While each patient and wound may require subtle nuances of care in certain areas, a more uniform set of standards will be the first step in creating delivery systems that are geared for large-scale prospective randomized studies that are so desperately needed in most areas of wound care.

Clinical Protocols↗

Effect of a bradykinin antagonist on the local inflammatory response following thermal injury.

Partial and full thickness burns with intervening zones of stasis were created on the backs on New Zealand White rabbits (n = 23). Either saline or the bradykinin receptor antagonist, NPC 17731, was administered. Skin blood flow was measured hourly using a laser Doppler blood flowmeter. After 4 h skin samples were harvested for assessment of tissue oedema (wet/dry weights) and leucocyte accumulation (immunohistochemistry). Statistical analysis was performed using Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Mann-Whitney U test with a level of significance at P < 0.05. It was found that blood flow was decreased postburn in all groups. Bradykinin antagonist resulted in increased blood flow in partial thickness burns and zones of stasis compared to saline-treated animals (P < 0.05). Pretreatment with bradykinin antagonist showed reduced tissue oedema in full thickness burns (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in leucocyte accumulation between both groups. These data suggest a role for bradykinin in the pathogenesis of postburn microvascular changes which is independent of leucocyte-mediated injury.

Analysis of Variance↗

A comparison of energy expenditure by a high level trans-femoral amputee using the Intelligent Prosthesis and conventionally damped prosthetic limbs.

Comparisons were made between the Intelligent Prosthesis (IP), Mauch and pneumatic swing phase control damping systems on the same prosthesis worn by a high level trans-femoral amputee. Speeds self selected by corridor walking (4.4-5.5 kmh-1) proved not to be sustainable for treadmill walking. Comfortable speeds were attained when the subject walked on a treadmill at 2.0, 2.6 and 3.2 kmh-1 in two tests for each prosthesis type. Oxygen uptake (VO2), cadence and heart rate were measured over 5 minute walks interspersed with rest periods. Spearman's correlation was used to test for differences between prosthesis types at each speed. At the two slower speeds no significant difference was found, but at the higher speed of 3.2 kmh-1, the IP was associated with a significantly lower VO2 (p < 0.05). A two way analysis of variance with replication (ANOVA) demonstrated a significant difference between VO2 for different limb types (p = 0.015). A square law function was fitted to the mean VO2 for each prosthesis type by the method of least squares regression. ANOVA demonstrated a significant difference between velocity coefficients for the different prosthesis types (p < 0.05). Cadence was almost constant during the period of each walk, varying by 1 step min-1 at most. However the test-retest differences in cadence were considerable. It is concluded that there was little difference in energy expenditure between prosthesis types at slower speeds, but at higher speeds (==> 3.2km h-1) the IP gave a lower oxygen uptake by about 10%.

Adult↗

Thresholds for treatment in cataract surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to identify the criteria used by ophthalmologists when assessing patients who may require cataract surgery, examine the extent of variation in their application and explore their relationship with current patterns of supply and demand. METHODS: This was a descriptive study involving semi-structured interviews with ophthalmologists, examination of hospital clinical records, and analysis of routinely available data on waiting times and hospital activity. The setting was ophthalmology units within the Northern Region of England. The subjects were 27 consultant ophthalmologists and 160 patients undergoing cataract extraction. RESULTS: There was agreement amongst ophthalmologists on the criteria used to select patients for treatment, and on the visual acuity level at which they would usually recommend surgery. All assess the degree of handicap resulting from cataract; most consider this more important than visual acuity. Over half of the patients were over 75 years old; two-thirds were women. Median visual acuity at listing was 6/36, but over 40 per cent were 6/60 or worse. Visual acuity at treatment was not recorded for 32 per cent of patients. Wide variation in visual acuity at listing existed between both units and consultants, and for both the affected and other eye. Second extractions may be performed at a better level of visual acuity than for first extractions. Median visual acuity at listing was significantly correlated with total waiting times for individual consultants. Lower cataract extraction rates are associated with long waiting times and poorer visual acuity at listing. CONCLUSIONS: There is considerable unmet need for cataract treatment within the Northern Region and significant variation in the current meeting of needs and demands. It may be that more needs could be met simply by changing referral and treatment patterns without increasing total service activity. Although visual acuity is a reasonably objective measure in routine use, the level of visual handicap is more important, and its assessment is more subjective; development of a standard method to assess this could help in producing guidelines for patient referral and selection. Audit of treatment thresholds could allow a better matching of service provision to population needs.

Aged↗

Effect of inhibiting leukocyte integrin (CD18) and selectin (L-selectin) on susceptibility to infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Leukocyte (WBC) adherence to endothelial cells has been implicated in the pathogenesis of microvascular injury. The process of leukocyte adherence is mediated by both the integrin and selectin families of molecules, and their interaction with specific endothelial ligands. Antibodies directed against the leukocyte integrin CD18 and L-selectin have been developed and functionally inhibit leukocyte adherence in models of inflammatory injury. We asked the question: Does inhibition of leukocyte adherence by administration of monoclonal antibody directed against either CD18, integrins (R15.7, R7.1) or against L-selectin (DREG 200) increase susceptibility to infection? New Zealand white rabbits were shaved and injected subcutaneously on their dorsum with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC#27853) at two sites each of 10(8) and 10(7) colony forming units. Animals were monitored with daily determination of weight, temperature, WBC counts, hematocrit, and killed at 1 week for determination of abscess formation. There were four blinded experimental groups: (1) Saline (2 mL/kg); (2) DREG 200 (2 mg/kg); (3) R7.1 (2 mg/kg); or (4) R15.7 (2 mg/kg). At the 10(7) and 10(8) injection sites the R15.7 group had an increased rate and size of abscess formation compared with controls. The R7.1 group had an increased rate at the 10(8) injection site. There was no significant difference in the percentage of the abscess formation or mean area between the controls and DREG 200-treated groups. We conclude that giving antibody to CD18 increased susceptibility to infection while giving antibody to L-selectin does not.

Animals↗

Inhibition of leukocyte adherence and susceptibility to infection.

Leukocyte (WBC) adherence to endothelial cells (EC) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of microvascular injury. WBC-EC adherence is largely dependent on interaction between the WBC-CD18 complex and the endothelial ligand, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Administration of monoclonal antibodies directed against CD18 and/or ICAM-1 inhibit WBC-EC adherence and have been reported to modulate ischemia-reperfusion and inflammatory injury. We asked the question, does inhibition of WBC-EC adherence by administration of monoclonal antibody directed against either CD18 (R15.7) or against ICAM-1 (R6.5) increase susceptibility to infection. New Zealand white rabbits were shaved and injected subcutaneously on their dorsum with Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC No. 25923) at two sites each with 10(9), 10(8), 10(7), and 10(6) colony-forming units (CFUs). A second set of rabbits were injected subcutaneously with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC No. 27853) at two sites each of 10(8) and 10(7) CFUs. Animals were monitored for 1 week with daily determination of weight, temperature, WBC counts, hematocrit, and gross evidence of abscess formation. There were three blinded experimental groups; animals given R15.7 (2.0 mg/kg), animals given R6.5 (2.0 mg/kg), and controls given saline (2.0 ml/kg). Administration of the anti-CD18 antibody, R15.7, resulted in significantly increased rates of abscess formation following innoculation with S. aureus and with P. aeruginosa, compared to controls and to the animals given the antibody to ICAM-1, R6.5. The administration of R6.5 did not increase the incidence or severity of abscess formation.

Abscess↗

Changes in exogenous surfactant in ventilated preterm lamb lungs.

Preterm lambs were treated with either a surfactant from bovine lung (Survanta) or three synthetic surfactants (Exosurf), a 69:22:9 mixture of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, and palmitic acid prepared by heat annealing (Lipid Mixture 1) or with glass beads (Lipid Mixture 2). After 5 h of ventilation, large and small aggregate surfactant fractions were isolated from alveolar washes by centrifugation. SP-A was used as an indicator for the association of endogenous surfactant components with the treatment surfactants. The large aggregate fraction from Survanta-treated lambs contained more SP-A than did the fractions from the lambs treated with the other surfactants (p < 0.05). The surfactants used to treat the sheep and the large aggregate surfactants from alveolar washes increased compliances when tested in surfactant-deficient, immature rabbits, relative to that in control animals. The large aggregate fractions in alveolar washes from lambs treated with Survanta, Lipid Mixture 1, and Lipid Mixture 2 improved compliances in the preterm rabbits to a greater extent than did the surfactants used to treat the lambs. The small aggregate fractions were inactive as surfactants. The function of exogenous surfactant can be improved after exposure to the preterm lung. The improvement may result from the association of exogenous surfactant with components of endogenous surfactant.

Analysis of Variance↗

Structure and functions of a dimeric form of surfactant protein SP-C: a Fourier transform infrared and surfactometry study.

Surfactant proteins SP-B (M(r) = 8700, reduced) and SP-C (M(r) = 3000-6000, major form, non-reduced) interact with surfactant phospholipids to enhance their surface active properties. In the present study, we describe the structural and functional characteristics of a novel dimeric form of bovine SP-C (M(r) = 9000, non-reduced), which is identified as [SP-C]2. Dimeric SP-C exhibits surface tension-lowering properties differing from those of monomeric SP-C and enhances the surface properties of bovine SP-B/phospholipid mixtures. Chemical analysis indicated that [SP-C]2 was not acylated at the cysteinyl residues. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was utilized to determine the secondary structures of [SP-C]2 in DPPC films. Relative percentages of alpha-helical, beta-sheet, beta-turn and random coil structures were calculated by peak fit analysis of the amide I band of the FT-IR spectra indicating that, in contrast to the helical structure of monomeric SP-C, [SP-C]2 exhibits almost exclusively beta-sheet structure. In addition, only 10% of the amide (backbone) hydrogens exchanged with deuterium of D2O, indicating that the remaining 90% of amide hydrogens were not accessible to D2O due to strong hydrogen bonding or their location in a hydrophobic environment. Dimerization of SP-C effects a major change in secondary structure, a factor which may play a role in the interaction of SP-C with phospholipids in pulmonary surfactant.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗

Inhibition of leukocyte-endothelial adherence following thermal injury.

Progressive microvascular damage in the tissue adjacent to a cutaneous burn injury results in extension of burn size. The role of neutrophils (PMNs) in the pathogenesis of microvascular injury was investigated by inhibition of PMN adherence to the microvascular endothelium using monoclonal antibodies directed to the leukocyte CD18 adhesion complex or its endothelial ligand, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1, CD54). A model of thermal injury was developed using New Zealand White rabbits. Under general anesthesia two sets of three full-thickness burns separated by two 5 x 30-mm zones were produced by applying brass probes heated to 100 degrees C to the animals' backs for 30 sec. Cutaneous blood flow determinations were obtained for 72 hr. Blood flow measurements were performed using a laser doppler blood flowmeter (PF3, Perimed, Piscataway, NJ). There were five experimental groups; controls given saline alone, n = 12; animals given monoclonal antibody to the PMN CD18 complex, R 15.7 prior to burn injury (pre-R15.7, n = 5); animals given R 15.7 30 min after burn injury (post-R 15.7, n = 6); animals given the anti ICAM-1 antibody, R 6.5 prior to burn (pre-R 6.5, n = 6); and animals given the R 6.5 30 min postburn injury (post-R 6.5, n = 6). BF in the marginal "zone of stasis" between burn contact sites was significantly higher in the antibody-treated animals and administration of the antibodies 30 min after injury was as effective as preburn administration in preserving blood flow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Appraised significance of intellectual disability for parents of children in three age cohorts: exploring the stress process.

The conceptualization of stress as a process involving stressors, mediators and manifestations of stress has opened up a way of more systematically investigating the impact of perceptions on stress experienced by parents of children with intellectual disabilities. Results obtained at the end of the first part of a two-stage panel design study indicate that appraised significance perceptions of parents are potentially exacerbating mediators of parental stress. Findings of a multiple regression analysis were interpreted as being consistent with the proposition that the parent-appraised significance of the child's disability for their parental role becomes increasingly salient as an exacerbating mediator of parental stress during the later childhood to early adolescent years. An attempt will be made to test this proposition when the children in the 3-5 year old cohort moves into the 10-12 year-old age category.

Activities of Daily Living↗