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Biomedical subjects

J Flynn

Publications and source records attributed to J Flynn.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Tuberculosis in the west of Ireland 1986-1990.

A review of mycobacteria isolated from clinical samples from the Western Health Board Area (WHBA) for the years 1986 to 1990 was performed to establish the pattern of mycobacterial infection. The incidence of microbiologically proven cases of tuberculosis (13.3/100,000) and of sputum smear positive cases (6.2/100,000) was determined and correlated with notification data. M. bovis accounts for 6.3% of cases of microbiologically confirmed tuberculosis in this area. Resistance to one or more of the first line anti-tuberculous drugs was noted in 5.3% of isolates (excluding pyrazinamide resistance in M. bovis). Clinically significant isolates of mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT) were rare throughout the five year period. The overall incidence of microbiologically proven cases of tuberculosis is relatively high and M. bovis and drug resistant isolates of M. tuberculosis are relatively common.

Drug Resistance, Microbial↗
PubMed1992

Use of polymerase chain reaction for early identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in positive cultures.

AIMS: To develop a readily applicable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based technique which would permit the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates from Bactec phials at an earlier stage than currently available methods. METHODS: Mycobacterial cells cultured in Bactec 12B medium were harvested by centrifugation. The cells were lysed by heating in distilled water. Oligonucleotide primers based on the sequence of the gene coding for the immunogenic protein MPB64 were then used to amplify a 240 base pair fragment of DNA directly from the crude cell lysate. The PCR product was visualised under ultraviolet light following electrophoresis of an aliquot in an agarose gel containing ethidium bromide. The sensitivity of the PCR was adjusted so that about 600 cfu of M tuberculosis gave a positive result. The lowest growth index at which this method of identification might be applied to Bactec phials was determined and a number of routine cultures giving a positive growth index examined. RESULTS: M tuberculosis was positively identified at the lowest growth index, as determined by the Bactec system. Of 45 routine cultures examined, with growth indexes ranging from 6 to 999, the 15 confirmed by conventional means to contain M tuberculosis were correctly identified from 1 ml of culture medium. CONCLUSIONS: The method described can be used to identify M tuberculosis isolates cultured in the Bactec system at the earliest detectable rise in growth index. It may therefore allow cultured mycobacteria to be identified at an earlier stage than conventional methods or the commercially available DNA probes adapted for use with the Bactec system.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Pulmonary hemodynamics and tissue damage after one lung infusion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in sheep.

The relative roles of hematogenous mediators and direct bacterial toxicity due to phagocytosis by pulmonary intravascular macrophages were determined by selective bacterial infusion into the left pulmonary artery and comparison of right and left lungs at 24 h. Chronically instrumented sheep received 15-min pulmonary arterial infusions of live Pseudomonas aeruginosa (0.35-2.9 x 10(9), n = 6) or saline (n = 5). The saline group demonstrated stable cardiopulmonary function over time. Left lung blood flow, measured by Doppler flow probe, decreased 15 min into the bacterial infusion, with a concomitant sevenfold increase in left lung pulmonary vascular resistance index. The right lung pulmonary vascular resistance index doubled at 1 h, in association with increased plasma thromboxane B2 levels. An increase in cardiac index and decrease in systemic vascular resistance occurred at 12 h. The wet-to-dry weight ratio of the Pseudomonas-infused left lung was increased compared with that of the sham-infused lung. The tissue count of neutrophils in the lungs was doubled in both sides, but neutrophils on the left were more degranulated. The left lung tissue damage was caused by direct bacterial toxicity, including activation of phagocytic cells. Hematogenous mediators induced pulmonary and systemic hemodynamic changes and right lung neutrophil sequestration, but they did not damage the noninfused lung.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Effect of cyclooxygenase inhibition on retinal and choroidal blood flow during hypercarbia in newborn piglets.

The effect of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, on choroidal (ChBF) and retinal (RBF) blood flow during hypercarbia was examined in 16 paralyzed and mechanically ventilated piglets less than 8 d old. The animals were randomly assigned to a control group (mean +/- SEM: wt, 1.66 +/- 0.1 kg; n = 8) that received a placebo infusion or to an indomethacin treatment group (wt, 1.68 +/- 0.2 kg; n = 8) that received an infusion of indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v. over 30 min). Baseline ChBF and RBF were measured using radiolabeled microspheres in room air before and 15 min after the administration of placebo or indomethacin. Animals were then exposed to 30 min of hypercarbia (6-7% CO2, arterial CO2 pressure 8-10 kPa) and measurements were repeated. There were no significant differences in RBF between control (40 +/- 3 mL/min/100 g) and indomethacin-treated animals (40 +/- 3 mL/min/100 g) before administration of placebo or indomethacin. However, RBF decreased significantly in the indomethacin-treated animals (28 +/- 2 mL/min/100 g) compared to the control group (42 +/- 4 mL/min/100 g) 15 min after administration of placebo or indomethacin. Furthermore, an increase in RBF occurred during hypercarbia in the control group (86 +/- 6 mL/min/100 g), but this change was blunted in the indomethacin-treated animals (33 +/- 5 mL/min/100 g) (p less than 0.001). In contrast, ChBF did not differ significantly between the control and indomethacin groups during the periods studied. These results suggest that the increase in RBF during hypercarbia is at least partially mediated by cyclooxygenase by-products of arachidonic acid metabolism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

The microbial flora of in-use blood pressure cuffs.

The capacity of blood pressure cuffs to act as vehicles of hospital infection has been recognised. We describe the microbial flora of in-use DINAMAP blood pressure cuffs used in the operating theatres and one recovery room in a teaching hospital. Our results show significant microbial contamination of in-use blood pressure cuffs.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1991

Perceived risk, stigma, and potential economic impacts of a high-level nuclear waste repository in Nevada.

This study investigates the potential impacts of the proposed nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, upon tourism, retirement and job-related migration, and business development in Las Vegas and the state. Adverse impacts may be expected to result from perceptions of risk, stigmatization, and socially amplified reactions to "unfortunate events" associated with the repository (major and minor accidents, discoveries of radiation releases, evidence of mismanagement, attempts to sabotage or disrupt the facility, etc.). The conceptual underpinnings of risk perception, stigmatization, and social amplification are discussed and empirical data are presented to demonstrate how nuclear images associated with Las Vegas and the State of Nevada might trigger adverse economic effects. The possibility that intense negative imagery associated with the repository may cause significant harm to Nevada's economy can no longer be ignored by serious attempts to assess the risks and impacts of this unique facility. The behavioral processes described here appear relevant as well to the social impact assessment of any proposed facility that produces, uses, transports, or disposes of hazardous materials.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

Preventive therapy for tuberculosis in Maryland.

Maryland data substantiate the safety of isoniazid therapy in preventing tuberculosis. To eradicate tuberculosis in the U.S., private physicians must play an active role by offering preventive therapy to patients at high risk of developing the disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Endotoxin (LPS) increases mesenteric vascular resistance (MVR) and bacterial translocation (BT).

Endotoxemia is responsible for many of the pathophysiologic alterations that occur with Gram-negative sepsis. We utilized a chronic ovine model to determine the hemodynamic disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract during endotoxemia. Sheep with indwelling arterial, venous, and pulmonary arterial catheters were used. An ultrasonic flow probe was placed on the cephalic mesenteric artery. The animals were subjected to: 1) Ringer's lactate infusion (sham n = 6); or 2) 1.5 mcg/kg E. coli endotoxin (n = 6) over over a period of one half hour and were monitored for 48 hours. They were then sacrificed and specimens of mesenteric lymph node, liver, spleen, kidney, and lung obtained for bacteriologic cultures and histologic analysis. Sheep receiving endotoxin showed more than 50% reduction in the mesenteric blood flow. Mesenteric vascular resistance increased while non-mesenteric systemic vascular resistance decreased. The increase in the total systemic vascular resistance, noted during endotoxemia, was thus likely due to the increase in the mesenteric vascular resistance. At autopsy there were positive cultures for microorganism in the mesenteric lymph nodes in six out of six sheep with endotoxemia as compared to one out of six of control. Thus the vasoconstriction in the mesenteric areas may have resulted in bacterial translocation from the GI tract.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Bronchial blood flow and eicosanoid blockade following airway acid aspiration.

The systemic circulation to the lung is thought to be an important microvascular exchange region which may contribute to pulmonary edema resulting from airway injury. In a chronic sheep model, we have evaluated the flow through the bronchial artery after airway injury caused by the aspiration of 2.5 ml/kg of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid with and without inhibition of thromboxane synthetase and cyclooxygenase. Cyclooxygenase inhibition with ibuprofen resulted in no rise in bronchial artery blood flow associated with airway acid aspiration (9.8 +/- 1.72 ml/min to 63.7 +/- 8.9 ml/min in the control group versus 11.3 +/- 2.5 ml/min to 10.3 +/- 3.4 ml/min in the ibuprofen group). No difference in bronchial artery blood flow was noted between control acid aspiration and acid aspiration with thromboxane synthetase inhibition. Significant early reduction in lung lymph flow was noted in the cyclooxygenase inhibition group compared to control. These data suggest that inhibition of the cyclooxygenase pathway of eicosanoid production may lessen the injury caused by airway acid aspiration. The decrease in airway blood flow with associated reduction in lymph flow suggests that airway blood flow may be important in the generation of pulmonary edema in this model.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The effects of freezing or freeze-drying on the biomechanical properties of the canine intervertebral disc.

The transplantation of spinal allografts to correct defects that include disc, body, or segments of both is currently under experimental investigation. A method of graft preservation that will least compromise the biomechanical integrity of the bodies or discs is required. Using a five-mode biomechanical analysis, the authors compared the change in stiffness of ten preserved canine spines. The freeze-dried specimens lost a significantly greater amount of stiffness in compression, flexion, extension, and torsion than did the frozen specimens. Therefore, from a biomechanical viewpoint, deep-freezing is superior to freeze-drying for spinal allograft preservation.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Cloning and expression of human insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3.

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) found in plasma and other body fluids circulate in association with specific binding proteins. We report here the cloning and the nucleotide sequence of cDNAs for the growth-hormone-dependent acid-stable IGF binding protein, hIGF-BP3. The derived protein begins with a putative 27-amino acid signal peptide followed by 264 residues of the mature polypeptide. The predicted sequence contains three potential N-linked glycosylation sites and shares two region of homology with the low-molecular-weight non-growth-hormone-dependent binding proteins BP-1 and BP-2. The protein contains 18 cysteine residues clustered in the amino and carboxy termini. Chinese Hamster ovary cells transfected with this cDNA secrete a 43-45 kD protein doublet, which bound IGF. The expressed IGF-binding protein is indistinguishable from the native BP-3 found in human plasma.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Airway aspiration of hydrochloric acid in sheep.

We have compared the effects of aspiration of 2.5 ml/kg of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid (HCl) on groups undergoing normal saline aspiration (2.5 ml/kg) and a sham control in unanesthetized sheep with chronic lung lymph fistula for up to 148 hr. Significant changes in pulmonary lymph flow and cardiopulmonary variables occurred in the airway acid group within the first 48 hr, as compared to saline and sham control. In the HCl group lymph flow increased from a baseline of 8.5 +/- 1.5 to 21.8 +/- 3.0 ml/hr (mean +/- SEM) at 2 hr. Pulmonary vasoconstriction occurred at this time with significant elevations of lymph thromboxane B2 from a baseline of 400 +/- 11 to 2,090 +/- 690 pg/ml. During the early acid aspiration phase products of lipid peroxidation were noted to increase from 0.29 +/- 0.03 to 0.81 +/- 0.17 absorbance units. Associated with elevated lymph flow was a significant drop in cardiac index in the airway-acid-aspirated group (6.59 +/- 0.52 to 5.53 +/- 0.36 L/min/m2) and a rise in bronchial blood flow from 9.8 +/- 1.7 to 63.7 +/- 8.9 ml/min. These data suggest that a moderate airway acid injury created by 2.5 ml/kg of HCl results in acute pulmonary damage with the release of several potential mediators which may be responsible for the observed effects. The long-term acid-injured animals survived for up to 1 week following the aspiration procedure with evidence of resolution of lung damage by wet-weight dry-weight evaluation of lung (normal lab control = 4.0 +/- 0.2, and 148 hr after acid = 4.5 +/- 0.3) and microscopic evidence of minimal persistent injury. These data document the pulmonary damage and repair resulting from airway acid instillation.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Gas chromatographic determination of volatile anaesthetic agents in blood. Part 1. Preparation of standard gas mixtures of volatile anaesthetic agents.

A method for preparing standard gas mixtures of the volatile anaesthetics halothane, enflurane and isoflurane is described. Static mixtures of gases of known concentration can be prepared manometrically by measuring the required pressure of anaesthetic gas into a bulb and diluting to atmospheric pressure with air. Standard gas mixtures in the concentration range 0-4% V/V can be prepared with an accuracy of +/- 0.01% V/V, and the relative standard error of measurements of a single standard concentration is less than 0.8%. Significant adsorptive losses in the gas sampling valve were observed for gas standards prepared in the absence of any diluent gas. These losses were not detected for measurements of standards made up to atmospheric pressure in air. A comparison with calibration procedures currently in practice is presented.

Anesthetics↗
PubMed1989

Gas chromatographic determination of volatile anaesthetic agents in blood. Part 2. Clinical studies.

A method is described for the direct determination of the volatile anaesthetics halothane and isoflurane in blood by gas chromatography with flame-ionisation detection. The method is accurate and precise and allows rapid measurements of blood levels of anaesthetic agents. Headspace concentrations of anaesthetic agents in the concentration range 0-3% V/V are determined with an accuracy of +/- 0.01% V/V. The relative standard deviation of these results is less than 4.0%. A relatively small volume of blood is required for each determination, a factor of great significance in the treatment of children. The need for separate blood calibration graphs for each patient is discussed, further emphasising the need for a rapid calibration procedure. The results from the clinical application of this method show conclusively its suitability for the management of anaesthetised subjects.

Anesthetics↗