Biomedical subjects

H J Ferguson

Publications and source records attributed to H J Ferguson.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Sperm-mediated transformation of the honey bee, Apis mellifera.

Our primary objective was to identify techniques to transform the genome of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) with foreign DNA constructs. The strategy we adopted was to linearize foreign DNA and introduce it with sperm during the instrumental insemination of virgin queen honey bees. We analysed extracts from larvae within the same cohort and isolated the predicted fragment by means of PCR amplification of genomic DNA. Larvae that carried the construct also expressed the introduced DNA. We propagated several transgenic lines for up to three generations, which demonstrates its heritability. Once carried by a queen, the construct can be detected in that queen's larvae over several months. However, there was no evidence of integration of the construct, at least as determined by genomic Southern analysis. Nevertheless, this demonstrates the general viability of the technique for introduction of DNA, and it should be augmented by further use of transposable elements that enhance integration.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Correlation between limb length discrepancy and asymmetrical rearfoot position.

Ten subjects with a known limb length discrepancy were filmed with the two-dimensional Motion Analysis Foot Trak System; eight were filmed running and walking and two were filmed walking only. A control group of ten subjects with no measured limb length discrepancy was filmed in the same manner (eight walking and running and two walking only). The calcaneus-to-vertical angle was recorded for the entire stance gait cycle (heel contact to toe-off). Analysis of the data between the short and long side showed a significant difference in calcaneal position between the two sides at midstance, with the longer side being more everted by 3 degrees or greater than the short side in most cases. There was no significant difference in the calcaneus-to-vertical angle at heel contact between the long and short side. There was no significant difference between the calcaneus-to-vertical angles of the right and left sides of the ten control subjects, either walking or running.

Gait↗

PubMed1993

Effect of extrinsic rearfoot posts on rearfoot position.

Twenty runners displaying abnormal subtalar joint pronation were selected for this study, the purpose of which was to investigate the effects of extrinsic rearfoot posted orthoses on frontal plane rearfoot and tibial position. Numerous temporal events were measured and compared for three different conditions: acrylic post, Birko post, and no post. The results suggested that rearfoot posts have a somewhat limited function in foot orthotic therapy and that the choice of posting material is of limited functional value.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Walking and hiking injuries. A one year follow-up study.

Injury patterns associated with walking and hiking activities were examined for all patients presenting to the clinic over a 1-year period. Among the patient group, the authors found that most injuries were unilateral, resulting from overuse, and occurred in the lower extremity, particularly in the foot, ankle, and knee. There are limited studies investigating walking and hiking injury rates in the general population. The results can be applied only to a small specific sample of the population.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

The motion analysis system for dynamic gait analysis.

The research value of the Motion Analysis System, within its scope of limitations, is large and may allow the podiatrist to lend scientific data to support many areas that have been previously held to be of a theoretic or anecdotal basis. The whole concept of rearfoot control with orthoses is perhaps the most important of these. Podiatrists have been aware of the role of orthoses for years, but now there is the means to demonstrate these findings to other medical professions. The ability to compare a number of clinical variables is another truly useful feature. The Motion Analysis System and other similar equipment are not designed to replace or make obsolete the biomechanical examination and "trained human eye;" rather, they act to compliment these skills and to help bring the realm of podiatric biomechanics and orthotic therapy into the scientific arena.

Foot↗

PubMed1991

Achilles tendon rupture. A protocol for conservative management.

The authors discuss surgical versus conservative management of closed Achilles tendon ruptures. They favor a conservative approach in most cases and present arguments to support this preference. They present a protocol for conservative management of closed Achilles tendon ruptures, which has been developed at the Center for Sports Medicine, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, San Francisco.

Achilles Tendon↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Sub-zero cooling synchronizes post-diapause development of codling moth, Cydia pomonella.

Sub-zero cooling treatments of -10 degree C and -15 degree C for 2-6 days were evaluated as a means of meeting the chilling requirement of diapause and to synchronize post-diapause development in larvae which were held in diapause for less than 6 months. Sub-zero cooling did not affect male longevity. After six months in diapause, diapause/cooled females were longer lived than diapause control females but not longer than non-diapause females. In general, diapause-cooled males passed more spermatophores than males from control diapause and non-diapause groups. In general, sub-zero cooling did not consistently affect fecundity and % egg hatch. Non-diapause females laid the most eggs after six months in diapause, and diapause-cooled females laid the most eggs after seven months in diapause. The duration of sub-zero cooling had a significant effect on post-diapause emergence in relation to the duration that the larvae were in diapause. Sub-zero cooling for 4 days at -10 degree C significantly reduced the number of days to adult emergence of larvae which had been in diapause for 0-4 months. Sub-zero cooling at -15 degree C for durations of 2, 4, and 6 days had more variable effects on emergence, but in most cases, sub-zero cooling reduced the amount of time to and span of adult emergence.

Journal Article↗