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Biomedical subjects

J L Shaw

Publications and source records attributed to J L Shaw.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Identification of a mutation cluster in mevalonate kinase deficiency, including a new mutation in a patient of Mennonite ancestry.

Mevalonate kinase (MKase) deficiency (MKD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder in the pathway of cholesterol and nonsterol isoprenoid biosynthesis. Thus far, two disease-causing missense alleles have been identified, N301T and A334T. We report four additional mutations associated with MKD: L264F, T243I, L265P, and I268T, the last found in a patient of Mennonite ancestry. Electrophoretic analysis of bacterially expressed wild-type and mutant MKase indicated that I268T and T243I mutants produced normal or somewhat reduced amounts of MKase protein; conversely, L264F and L265P mutations resulted in considerably decreased, or absent, MKase protein. Immunoblot analysis of MKase from all patients suggested that the MKase polypeptide was grossly intact and produced in amounts comparable to control levels. Three mutations resulted in significantly diminished MKase enzyme activity (<2%), whereas the I268T allele yielded approximately 20% residual enzyme activity. Our results should allow more-accurate identification of carriers and indicate a mutation "cluster" within amino acids 240-270 of the mature MKase polypeptide.

Alleles↗
PubMed1993

Eradication of a new focus of Amblyomma variegatum in Puerto Rico.

In May 1992 an infestation with the tropical bont tick appeared in a small dairy heifer replacement herd in Camuy, Puerto Rico, a completely new site located near Puerto Rico's northwest coast. This finding occurred after some three years of no infestation in either Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands and is not suspected of being associated with any previous infestations. The methods used to eradicate this tick include spray treatment at a two-week interval of all domestic livestock, with amitraz at 0.025% and permethrin at 0.055%. Dogs and chickens are also inspected. Owners are encouraged to reduce numbers of these species. All livestock on adjoining farms are inspected and treated on a frequent basis. There has been no evidence of any spread and the infestation is expected to be eliminated within 18 months.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effects of the caecal nematode Trichostrongylus tenuis on egg-laying by captive red grouse.

Captive hen red grouse infected with Trichostrongylus tenuis larvae started to lay later in spring and laid fewer eggs at a slower rate than uninfected hens. March-infected hen grouse showed greater effects than December-infected ones, probably because developing larvae were more pathogenic than adult worms. The mechanism by which parasites interfered with egg production involved reduction in food intake. Infected hens also gained less weight than controls before laying.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1989

The role of parasite fecundity and longevity in the success of Trichostrongylus tenuis in low density red grouse populations.

The prevalence of the caecal threadworm Trichostrongylus tenuis in red grouse in the north of Scotland was high despite low grouse densities. Prevalence, intensity and aggregation of threadworms was higher in old than in young grouse. Infections were long-lasting: populations of adult worms could survive for over 2 years in grouse, with little mortality. Parasite egg output decreased with the age of a worm population, largely as a result of a decrease in the fecundity of ageing female worms. Seasonal variations in worm fecundity were also evident. However, there was no evidence of an intensity-dependent decrease of worm fecundity with increasing worm numbers in either captive or wild grouse. The long life and high reproductive capacity of T. tenuis probably contribute to its effective transmission and high prevalence.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Factors affecting the establishment of the caecal threadworm Trichostrongylus tenuis in red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus).

The resistance of captive reared red grouse to Trichostrongylus tenuis was measured as the proportion of ingested infective 3rd-stage larvae which failed to develop to adult worms. Individual grouse showed wide, repeatable variations in resistance. Seasonal variations may also have occurred. Red grouse acquired little or no effective immunity to reinfection after challenge with a single dose of infective larvae. In trickle-dosed grouse, however, adult worms weakly inhibited the establishment of incoming larvae in an intensity-dependent fashion. Despite this, the proportion of larvae established in trickle infections was similar to that in single-dose challenges.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1989

Development and survival of the free-living stages of Trichostrongylus tenuis, a caecal parasite of red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus.

In the laboratory, yields of infective 3rd-stage larvae of Trichostrongylus tenuis were determined by temperature when moisture was adequate. On the moor, eggs in caecal faeces did not develop to infective larvae during the winter. In summer, development did occur and yields of infective larvae were related to temperature: greatest yields were obtained when mean monthly soil surface temperatures ranged between 7.6 and 10.3 degrees C. Rainfall was unimportant, as was desiccation. During summer the mean monthly mortality of infective larvae was 44% but over winter survival was negligible.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Arrested development of Trichostrongylus tenuis as third stage larvae in red grouse.

Worms were counted in red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus) in north east Scotland in March, April, August, September, November and December 1986. Immature worms occurred as third (L3) and fourth (L4) stage larvae throughout. Two kinds of evidence suggest that L3 larvae spent much of the winter in a state of arrested development. First, recently acquired L3 larvae could be distinguished by the fact that they retained outer L2 cuticles for a few days; these were present only in the August and September samples. Secondly, the mean proportion of larvae (L3 and L4) present as L3 was less than 15 per cent in August and September, but increased to 92 per cent by December and then decreased to 71 per cent by March and April. During March and April the proportion of L4 increased as overwintering L3 resumed their development.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Cysteamine induces cataracts in newborn rats.

Daily subcutaneous injections of cysteamine (CSH) administered to neonatal rats for 6 to 11 days cause dense bilateral cataracts that are evident at eye opening and that are permanent. CSH has been previously shown to induce protein cross-linking by the formation of abnormal disulfide bonds. It is hypothesized that the same mechanism underlies its cataractogenic effect; as such, CSH may be a useful agent in the study of models of senile cataract formation in humans.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Prostacyclin production by isolated rat adipocytes: evidence for cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent and independent mechanisms and for a selective effect of insulin.

The rat adipocyte contains two separate mechanisms for prostaglandin (PG) production. Norepinephrine stimulates prostacyclin (PGI2) and PGE2 production and triglyceride lipolysis in isolated rat adipocytes. In contrast, the vasoactive peptides angiotensin II, vasopressin, and bradykinin stimulate PGI2 production, but not PGE2 production or triglyceride lipolysis, in these cells. In this study, we characterized the two separate mechanisms of PG production with respect to the time course, the role of cAMP, the identity of the adrenergic receptor, and the effects of insulin and glucocorticoids. Angiotensin II stimulated PGI2 production rapidly (at 5 min) and independently of cAMP. beta-Adrenergic stimulation with isoproterenol produced a rapid 11-fold increase in the cAMP concentration and stimulated PGI2 production more slowly (at 120 min). The phosphodiesterase inhibitor 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine (0.2 and 0.5 mM) and the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin (10 microM) also stimulated cAMP production rapidly and PGI2 production more slowly. 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine (5.0 mM) further stimulated cAMP levels, but prevented the increase in PGI2 production and blunted the increase in glycerol release seen at lower concentrations. beta-Adrenergic blockade with propranolol or timolol completely inhibited the norepinephrine- or isoproterenol-stimulated production of PGI2 and triglyceride lipolysis, respectively. Insulin selectively inhibited isoproterenol-stimulated PGI2 production and triglyceride lipolysis at physiological concentrations, but had no effect on angiotensin II-stimulated PGI2 production. In contrast, dexamethasone inhibited PGI2 production induced by both isoproterenol and angiotensin II. We conclude that: angiotensin II stimulates PGI2 production rapidly and independently of cAMP, but isoproterenol stimulates PGI2 production more slowly, an effect that is cAMP dependent; insulin inhibits the cAMP-dependent beta-adrenergic stimulation of PGI2 production (and triglyceride lipolysis), but not the cAMP-independent angiotensin II-induced stimulation of PGI2 production (this suggests that the former effect is mediated by a decrease in cAMP levels in the adipocyte); and dexamethasone inhibits both mechanisms of PGI2 production. Both mechanisms of PGI2 production by rat adipocytes are exquisitely sensitive to hormonal regulation.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed1979

Sucrose taste functions and dental caries in children.

Sweetness detection threshold, suprathreshold estimation, and preference were evaluated in caries-free and caries-susceptible children aged 7 to 15 years. The two caries groups appeared similar on all measures. This report contrasts with previous adult studies indicating a relationship between sweet taste sensitivity and caries status.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Localized ureteral fibrosis: an unrecognized complication of radiation therapy for prostatic carcinoma.

Complications of radiation therapy for prostatic carcinoma are frequent but usually minor. A patient is described in whom localized ureteral fibrosis developed following curative radiation therapy, which subsequently required a reconstructive operation. An analogous situation regarding patients with carcinoma of the cervix is examined and possible etiologies are discussed. This complication should be recognized so that proper management can be instituted.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1975

Aberrant renal papilla: a diagnostic dilemma.

Filling defects of the renal pelvis not uncommonly present a difficult diagnostic challenge to the urologist and the radiologist. The precise etiology of the radiographic picture is not always evident, even after a battery of clinical tests. A pathologically proved case of an aberrant renal papilla is reported herein, and the significant differential diagnostic possibilities are considered and reviewed.

Adult↗