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Biomedical subjects

D Bannister

Publications and source records attributed to D Bannister.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1987

Minor burns lead to major changes in synthesis rates of plasma proteins in the liver.

The effect of minor burns on the rates of synthesis of plasma proteins in the liver was studied in white Buffalo rats. Burns of second to third degree, covering 0.8% of total body surface, were produced by short application of a hot piece of metal to the skin under ether anesthesia. Levels of mRNA in extracts from liver removed after 24 hr were measured by hybridization to radioactively labeled specific cDNA probes. The level of mRNA for major acute phase alpha 1-protein (also called cysteine proteinase inhibitor or T1-kininogen) increased 20-fold, that of fibrinogen mRNA 8-fold, and that of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein mRNA about 9-fold. The levels of albumin mRNA and transthyretin mRNA (also called prealbumin) decreased to about 80% of normal and the level of transferrin mRNA did not change significantly. Thus, although the percentage of burnt skin was only very small, a typical acute phase response of plasma protein synthesis in liver was observed.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1986

Rat choroid plexus specializes in the synthesis and the secretion of transthyretin (prealbumin). Regulation of transthyretin synthesis in choroid plexus is independent from that in liver.

Synthesis of total protein and of transthyretin in rat choroid plexus was studied by measuring the incorporation of radioactive leucine into proteins in choroid plexus tissue incubated in vitro. About 20% of the protein newly synthesized in choroid plexus and about 50% of the newly synthesized protein secreted into the medium was transthyretin. Evidently, the choroid plexus is very active in the biosynthesis of this carrier protein for thyroid hormones and could be an important link in the chemical communication between the body and the central nervous system. Acute inflammation, which leads to a profound rearrangement of the pattern of plasma protein synthesis rates in the liver, produced distinct changes in the levels for plasma protein mRNAs in the liver. The levels of the mRNAs for alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and major acute phase alpha 1-protein increased more than 30-fold, those for transthyretin and albumin decreased to 27 and 57% of normal, respectively. The pattern of the observed changes in the levels of mRNAs for plasma proteins in the liver was independent of whether the acute inflammation was produced by subcutaneous injection of turpentine or intraperitoneal injection of a suspension of talcum. However, levels of transthyretin mRNA in choroid plexus were affected only very slightly, or not at all. Apparently, transthyretin synthesis in liver and choroid plexus is regulated independently during the acute phase response. No mRNA was detected in choroid plexus for albumin, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, and major acute phase alpha 1-protein under any conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Reversing the process of thought disorder: a serial validation experiment.

Previous personal construct theory studies of thought disorder suggest that it can be viewed as a state of grossly loosened construing (a weak and unstable network of links between ideas) and that it can fairly be measured by grid method. Later studies in the series indicated that it is people not things which bewilder the thought-disordered patient--it is his role as a 'psychologist' that is specifically damaged. The serial invalidation hypothesis argued that thought disorder is the long-term consequence of a repeated failure to predict accurately the behaviour of others and self, resulting in the disintegration of any organized, personal 'theory' about relationships. The present experiment attempt to reverse the process of thought disorder by first identifying whatever weak, remaining system of expectations the thought-disordered patient manifests and then fulfilling these expectations. Such a process of serial validation might lead to a strengthening of the 'theory' which generated these expectations--a tightening of the construct system. Experimental and control group were closely studied over a two-year period. Results-while tending in the predicted direction--yield a not proven verdict though they leave the argument viable and the experiment worth modified replication.

Adolescent↗