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Biomedical subjects

J M Wagner

Publications and source records attributed to J M Wagner.

46 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
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Plasma levels of eosinophil granule major basic protein in pregnant cynomolgus monkeys.

The sera of all pregnant women contain increased amounts of a protein biochemically and immunologically similar to the eosinophil granule major basic protein (MBP). Immunofluorescence shows that the pregnancy-associated MBP is localized to placental trophoblastic cells. This information raises important questions about the function of pregnancy-associated MBP because of the potential biological functions attributed to its eosinophil counterpart (namely, its potent toxic and cytostimulatory activities). Previous studies demonstrated the presence of an immunologically cross-reactive protein in the placentae and plasma of pregnant non-human primates. Here, plasma MBP levels were measured throughout gestation in cynomolgus monkeys. In early pregnancy, only modest increases in MBP were found in contrast to the sharp rise observed in the first 20 weeks of human pregnancy. During the final one-third of gestation, striking increases in plasma MBP occurred in the monkeys. This parallels the late rise in MBP seen in humans in the third trimester. Thus, the cynomolgus monkey may serve as a model to clarify the role of the MBP in the biochemical events that culminate in parturition.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Analysis of pregnancy-associated major basic protein levels throughout gestation.

Previous studies have shown that MBP levels rise before labour and have suggested the use of pMBP levels as a predictor of labour. We hypothesize that pMBP levels show a common pattern in pregnant women including a late third trimester rise in pMBP which predicts the onset of labour. Serum pMBP levels were measured throughout gestation in 112 pregnant women. We then analysed the relationship of pMBP levels to the time of labour onset, and to other features of pregnancy. An exponential increase in pMBP levels was seen early in gestation from weeks 5 to 21 in all pregnant women. In total, 79 per cent of the women showed rises in pMBP of > or = 25 per cent above baseline during the third trimester. pMBP levels were shown to be associated with placental weight, multiple gestation, and parity. pMBP levels could not, however, be used to form a precise model for the prediction of labour. The role of pMBP in pregnancy remains unclear.

Blood Proteins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

High venous urea concentrations in the opposite arm. A consequence of hemodialysis-induced compartment disequilibrium.

Resistance to urea diffusion among body fluid compartments diminishes the therapeutic effectiveness of hemodialysis. Cell membrane or capillary wall resistance is thought to be responsible for hemodialysis-induced urea disequilibrium. The authors examined the possibility that reduced blood flow might contribute to urea disequilibrium in the arm opposite the blood access site. Blood samples were taken simultaneously from a vein in the arm opposite the access site and from the arterial port after occluding the access graft between the needle sites for 1 min. Venous urea nitrogen levels from the opposite arm averaged 10% higher after 5 min, 26% higher after 60 min, and 36% higher after 120 min of dialysis. A three-compartment model of urea kinetics that includes a blood flow term accurately predicted all measured urea nitrogen concentrations in both arms. These data suggest that the opposite arm often behaves as a compartment with high resistance to urea diffusion. Slow diffusion from this compartment is partially due to reduced blood flow/compartment volume, and results in a delayed fall in venous blood urea nitrogen (BUN).

Arm↗
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A guide to Mosaic and the World Wide Web for physicians.

Although the predecessor of the Internet as we know it has existed since 1969, few physicians have taken full advantage of its extensive and continuously expanding resources. This may be due in part to the perceived difficulty of navigating the sometimes circuitous routes to the data sources of interest. Newer and substantially more user-friendly interfaces have been developed recently, allowing simpler and more direct access to the full range of Internet resources. Arguably the most important of these is the National Center for Supercomputing Application's Mosaic, the link to an information domain known as the World Wide Web. This article provides an overview of the important medical resources that Mosaic offers the clinician, teacher, and researcher, together with information on how to obtain and configure the software.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Food Quality Protection Act: its impact on the pesticide industry.

Enacted into law by Congress in August 1996, the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) is the most significant piece of federal pesticide legislation since the 1988 amendments to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. FQPA was hastily drafted and approved towards the end of the 1996 Congressional session. The new law was advertised as resolving some long-standing problems; however, it is clear now that it has also created some new ones. Since the FQPA's passage, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued numerous rules and regulations that are being used to evaluate and judge the safety of pesticide use on foods. This article discusses some of the major provisions of the new law and their impact to the U.S. pesticide industry.

Child↗