PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Maas

Publications and source records attributed to J Maas.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Epidemiologic aspects of bovine anaplasmosis in semiarid range conditions of south central Idaho.

The prevalance of Anaplasma marginale-infected cows, as determined by use of the modified rapid card agglutination (MRCA) test, was measured during a 4-year period (1980-1983). The prevalence of A marginale-infected cows, defined as positive reactors on the MRCA test, remained constant (31%-37%). The apparent incidence of A marginale transmission to susceptible cows was approximately 7% from 1980 to 1981, 8% from 1981 to 1982, and no transmission from 1982 to 1983. The occasional MRCA-positive cow became negative on the MRCA test, and 1 cow was determined to be free of A marginale infection by subinoculation of 100 ml of the cow's blood into a susceptible, splenectomized calf. Dermacentor andersoni, a known vector of A marginale, was often found on the cattle and in their environment. However, A marginale was not transmitted to susceptible, splenectomized calves, using collected ticks. Of 56 calves born to MRCA-positive cows, 82% were MRCA-positive within the first 3 months of life. These calves converted to MRCA-negative status and were determined to be free of A marginale infection by subinoculation of their blood into susceptible, splenectomized calves, indicating the passive transfer of colostral antibodies.

Anaplasma↗

Disturbed very long chain (C24-C26) fatty acid pattern in fibroblasts of patients with Zellweger's syndrome.

The very long chain fatty acids in cultured fibroblasts from six patients with the cerebro-hepato-renal syndrome of Zellweger, from six of their parents, from three controls, and also in three amniotic fluid control cell lines were analysed by gas chromatography. Increased concentrations of hexacosanoic acid (C26:O) were consistently found in the Zellweger syndrome. Also the ratios C26:O/C22:O, C25:O/C22:O, and C24:O/C22:O were elevated. The very long chain fatty acid levels and ratios in fibroblasts from the patients' parents were within the normal range. Findings in amniotic fluid cell lines indicate the possibility of antenatal diagnosis for Zellweger's syndrome. The similarities between neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy and Zellweger's syndrome suggest the applicability of this technique also in neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy.

Adrenoleukodystrophy↗

The natural history of blood pressure in childhood.

To find out whether there is a relationship between the level of blood pressure in childhood and later on in life, and whether future hypertensives can be identified early in life, we selected a random sample of 596 Dutch children. At the first examination they were 5-19 years of age. In 386 of them (65%) at least five consecutive annual blood pressure measurements were made between 1975 and 1982. The stability of a child's position in the blood pressure distribution ('tracking') was studied by linear regression of follow-up blood pressure on initial blood pressure. 'Tracking' coefficients were 0.4 to 0.6 mmHg/mmHg for systolic pressure, and 0.2 to 0.5 mmHg/mmHg for diastolic pressure after four years of follow-up. Twenty-seven per cent of the boys and 44% of the girls who were in the upper 10% of the systolic blood pressure distribution at the first examination were still there after four years. For diastolic pressure these figures were 25% and 22%, respectively. These observations indicate that there is a moderate degree of blood pressure 'tracking' in childhood. They further imply that it is impossible to detect future hypertensives early in life by measurement of blood pressure only.

Adolescent↗

Endocrinological and histological changes induced by continuous low dose gamma-irradiation of the rat testis.

Young adult Sprague-Dawley rats were continuously whole-body irradiated with gamma rays at a dose-rate of 7 cGy/day for 92 days. Plasma LH, FSH and testosterone concentrations and testicular histology were quantified at different times during exposure. Irradiation selectively decreased spermatogonial numbers until 17 days of irradiation, following which a maturation depletion was observed. By the end of the exposure all germ cell types were reduced in number to about 10% of the control values. No significant changes were found in testosterone concentration nor in the weights of testosterone dependent accessory sex organs, LH plasma concentration increased slightly but not significantly at the end of irradiation. A significant increase in plasma FSH concentration occurred after the numbers of a spermatogonia and preleptotene spermatocytes had been reduced, when number of stage VII pachytene spermatocytes decreased to 36% of control values, whereas numbers of round spermatids and Sertoli cells were respectively 86% and 100% of the control values. These results suggest a possible role of pachytene spermatocytes in the regulation of inhibin production by the testis.

Animals↗

Continuous gamma-irradiation of rats: dose-rate effect on loss and recovery of spermatogenesis.

Male Sprague Dawley rats were continuously irradiated at a dose-rate of either 5 or 7 cGy/day, up to a total dose of 900 cGy. Changes in spermatogenesis with irradiation and the recovery of the testis during 33 weeks after irradiation were studied. No clear dose-rate effect with testicular weight occurred. During the irradiation time, increased dose and dose-rate induced a decrease in A spermatogonia and preleptotene spermatocyte number. In our experimental conditions germ cell production did not plateau, as shown by the increasing number of tubular cross sections devoid of germ cells beyond 500 cGy. The recovery of seminiferous epithelium occurred essentially within nine weeks. It was not dose-rate dependent and was still incomplete after 33 weeks. This lack of recovery might be due to limited compensatory division ability of the stem cells. Clusters of Sertoli cells were observed in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules; impaired function of these cells could also prevent the complete recovery of the seminiferous epithelium. By 16 weeks after the end of irradiation 67% of 5 cGy/day irradiated rats and 34% of 7 cGy/day irradiated rats recovered fertility.

Animals↗

Efficacy of ethylenediamine dihydriodide in the prevention of naturally occurring foot rot in cattle.

The efficacy of an ethylenediamine dihydriodide containing salt mixture was evaluated with regard to the prevention of naturally occurring foot rot in pastured cattle. Ninety-six cattle were assigned to the treatment group and 96 were assigned to the control group. The groups were allowed consumption of salt-mineral mixtures, ad libitum, that were identical, except with respect to iodine concentration. The control group's mixture contained 0.0025% iodine and the treatment group's mixture contained 0.125% iodine (0.156% ethylenediamine dihydriodide). The incidence of foot rot was measured, as was the severity of the lesions and accompanying lameness. The incidence of foot rot in the control group (20.8%) was significantly (P less than 0.05) greater than the incidence in the treatment group (8.3%). The severity of foot rot was greater (P = 0.024) in the control calves vs the treatment calves. Total serum iodine concentrations were measured in the 2 groups on days 0, 46, and 130 of the experiment. The serum iodine values of the treatment group on day 46 (46 +/- 19.8 g/dl) and day 130 (23 +/- 12.3 g/dl) were significantly different (P less than 0.01) than the serum iodine concentrations of the control animals and the pretreatment values (day 0) of both groups. Production was measured via calf weaning weights. There were no detectable differences between the 205-day adjusted weaning weights of the calves in the control group vs the calves in the treatment group. Clinical signs of iodism were not observed in the cattle involved in this study.

Animals↗

Comparison of selenium levels and glutathione peroxidase activity in bovine whole blood.

Blood glutathione peroxidase activity and selenium levels were found to correlate well, indicating that glutathione peroxidase activity can be used to assess blood selenium levels in beef cattle. The glutathione peroxidase activity of blood is less stable than is the selenium concentration but when blood was stored at 4 degrees C, the glutathione peroxidase activity remained constant for seven days.

Animals↗