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Biomedical subjects

J E Ryan

Publications and source records attributed to J E Ryan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A musculo-skeletal model of rat ankle motion and its experimental test on rat.

A biomechanical musculo-skeletal model of functional electrical stimulation (FES)-induced rat ankle motion was implemented and tested in rat experiments. The muscle model is a new Hill-based model which includes established physiological relations of force-velocity and force-length-frequency. However, the series-elastic component and the activation component of previous Hill-based models are replaced by a new component which accounts for dynamic time delays and recruitment that occur in real muscle force generation during limb movements. The skeletal model includes gravity and dynamic forces that occur in real rat ankle motions. In computer simulations, various FES patterns were applied to the tibialis anterior (TA) and soleus (SO) model muscles to produce walk-like ankle motions. In lab experiments, the same stimulation patterns were applied by epimysial electrodes implanted in the TA and SO muscles of live rats cordotomized at level T7. The resulting rat motions were recorded by video camera. Video data was converted to ankle angle-vs-time files for comparison with corresponding model angle-vs-time files. Over a physiologically significant range of ankle motions, model parameters were adjustable to yield model motions that agreed with rat motions to within 2 degrees (root mean square differences of rat and model ankle angles). This is shown in plots of model and rat motions presented here for representative cases of FES. The accuracy of our model in reproducing real ankle motions supports the hypothesis that our new muscle model generates correct muscle forces over a useful range of limb motions. It suggests that the model may be useful in the design of FES neural prostheses.

Animals↗

Inter-operator variation in ELISPOT analysis of measles virus-specific IFN-gamma-secreting T cells.

The ELISPOT assay is a highly sensitive technique used for the detection of individual cytokine releasing cells. We have developed an IFN-gamma ELISPOT assay utilizing unfractionated frozen peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to quantify the frequency of measles virus (MV)-specific IFN-gamma-secreting T cells in 117 healthy children who had been previously immunized with two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. We have also estimated the variability associated with the quantification of ELISPOT plates and compared the number of MV-specific IFN-gamma-secreting T cells for each subject as determined by two different operators of an ELISPOT reader. The median frequency of MV-specific IFN-gamma-producing memory T cells detected by this assay was 0.005 % and 0.01 % as determined by an in-house and commercial operator, respectively. Although we found a significant correlation (r = 0.83, p<0.0001) between the number of spots counted by the commercial and in-house operators of an ELISPOT reader, the median number of spots counted by the commercial operator was twice the number of spots counted by an in-house operator (p<0.001). This demonstrates the importance of using a common ELISPOT reader and operator, among other parameters, to quantify the number of spots when a large volume of plates are being scanned and analyzed.

Adolescent↗

Correlations among measles virus-specific antibody, lymphoproliferation and Th1/Th2 cytokine responses following measles-mumps-rubella-II (MMR-II) vaccination.

Immunity to measles is conferred by the interplay of humoral and cellular immune responses, the latter being critical in maintaining long-term recall response. Therefore, it is important to evaluate measles-specific humoral and cellular immunity in populations several years after vaccination and understand the correlations among these measures of immunity. We examined measles-specific antibodies, lymphoproliferation and the Th1/Th2 signature cytokines, interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-4, in a population-based cohort of healthy children from Olmsted County, Minnesota after two doses of measles-mumps-rubella-II (MMR-II) vaccine. We detected positive measures of measles-specific cellular and humoral immunity in the majority of our study population. However, a small proportion of subjects demonstrated an immune response skewed towards the Th2 type, characterized by the presence of either IL-4 and/or measles-specific antibodies and a lack of IFN-gamma production. Further, we observed a significant positive correlation between lymphoproliferation and secretion of IFN-gamma (r = 0.20, P = 0.0002) and IL-4 (r = 0.15, P = 0.005). Measles antibody levels were correlated with lymphoproliferation (r = 0.12, P = 0.03), but lacked correlation to either cytokine type. In conclusion, we demonstrated the presence of both long-term cellular and humoral responses after MMR-II vaccination in a significant proportion of study subjects. Further, a positive correlation between lymphoproliferation and IL-4 and IFN-gamma suggests that immunity to measles may be maintained by both Th1 and Th2 cells. We speculate that the Th2 biased response observed in a subset of our subjects may be insufficient to provide long-term immunity against measles. Further examination of the determinants of Th1 versus Th2 skewing of the immune response and long-term follow-up is needed.

Adolescent↗

A transmembrane CXC chemokine is a ligand for HIV-coreceptor Bonzo.

We describe a protein with the hallmarks of a chemokine, designated CXCL16, that is made by dendritic cells (DCs) in lymphoid organ T cell zones and by cells in the splenic red pulp. CXCL16 contains a transmembrane domain and both membrane-bound and soluble forms are produced. Naïve CD8 T cells, natural killer T cells and a subset of memory CD4 T cells bind CXCL16, and activated T cells migrated chemotactically to the soluble chemokine. By expression cloning, Bonzo (also known as STRL33 and TYMSTR) was identified as a CXCL16 receptor. CXCL16 may function in promoting interactions between DCs and CD8 T cells and in guiding T cell movements in the splenic red pulp. CXCL16 was also found in the thymic medulla and in some nonlymphoid tissues, indicating roles in thymocyte development and effector T cell trafficking.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

An alternative treatment: Molloplast B.

The extremely resorbed edentulous mandible has always presented difficulties for the dentist and patient. This paper describes the use of a heat-cured soft liner to aid in patient comfort. The liner has other applications, notably with cleft palate and oral cancer patients.

Denture Liners↗

2-Carboxyarabinitol 1-phosphate (CA1P) formation through a phosphate exchange reaction catalysed by the CA1P phosphatase from French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

Transfer of the phosphate group of 2-carboxy-D-arabinitol 1-phosphate (CA1P) to 14C-labelled 2-carboxy-D-arabinitol (CA) was catalysed by extracts from leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris. This phosphotransferase activity co-purified with CA1P phosphatase, described previously. This activity was increased, up to 16-fold, by addition of bicarbonate ions at pH 9-10, suggesting rate enhancement by enzyme carbamylation. A V(max) of 1.5 mumol/min per mg of protein and a K(m) (for CA) of 1.8 mM were estimated for the exchange reaction, with the purified phosphatase. 2-Carboxy-D-arabinitol 1,5-bisphosphate and 2-carboxy-D-ribitol 1,5-bisphosphate, but not D-ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate, could replace CA1P as phosphate donor to [14C]CA.

Cell Extracts↗

Twenty-five years of clinical application of a heat-cured silicone rubber.

The use of Molloplast-B silicone rubber for the past 25 years is reviewed. A variety of applications as well as techniques are described. The liner has shown to be acceptable to patients and has aided in their rehabilitation. This processed soft liner is still a viable alternative, even with today's trends in removable prosthodontic service.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Better style for change: matrix management.

Under matrix management, an organization can recognize and coordinate both its need to implement sweeping changes and its need to maintain day-to-day operations.

Administrative Personnel↗

Prosthetic treatment for electrical burns to the oral cavity.

A procedure was presented to provide an esthetic result in the treatment of electrical burns to the mouth. A removable prosthesis controls the degree of scarring, contracture, and deformity that often occurs from the surgical repair of these burns.

Burns, Electric↗

Splinting electrical burns of the mouth in children.

A mouth splint has been designed tp be worn through the healing period of an electrical burn of the mouth. The splint is custom-fitted for each child, and it is easily removed. Six children have been so treated and followed up for 4 years. The results to date have been excellent in preventing microstomia.

Burns, Electric↗