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Biomedical subjects

J Olson

Publications and source records attributed to J Olson.

178 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Dioxins in U.S. food and estimated daily intake.

Congener-specific analyses for polychlorinated dioxins and dibenzofurans were performed on eighteen dairy, meat, and fish samples obtained from a supermarket in upstate New York. Dioxin toxic equivalents (TEqs) on a whole or wet weight basis for these food samples ranged from 0.02 to 1.5 parts per trillion (ppt). Data on American food consumption rates were used to estimate a U.S. range of dioxin intake from food. Based on these first congener-specific dioxin analyses of U.S. food, U.S. average daily intake of "International" dioxin toxic equivalents for an adult weighing 65 kilograms (kg) was estimated to be between 18 to 192 picograms TEq or 0.3 to 3.0 picograms per kilogram of body weight. Our previous results for cow's milk, human breast milk, and soy-based infant formula were used to calculate intake for infants. The relatively high level of dioxins commonly reported in human breast milk from America contributes from 35 to 53 picograms of dioxin toxic equivalents per kilogram of body weight to the nursing infant per day in its first year of life. This value greatly exceeds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated dose which would lead to one excess cancer per one million people of 0.006 pg of TCDD per kg of body weight per day over a seventy year lifetime or similar reference doses used by some other countries of up to 10/pg/kg/day over a 70 year lifetime.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A comparison of dioxins, dibenzofurans and coplanar PCBs in uncooked and broiled ground beef, catfish and bacon.

The primary source of dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and coplanar PCBs for the general population is food, especially meat, fish, and dairy products. However, most data on the levels of these chemicals is from food in the raw or uncooked state. We report here the effect of one type of cooking (broiling) on the levels of PCDDs, PCDFs, and coplanar PCBs in ground beef (hamburger), bacon and catfish. Samples of hamburger, bacon, and catfish were broiled and compared to uncooked samples in order to measure changes in the amounts of dioxins in cooked food. The total amount of PCDD, PCDF, and coplanar PCB TEQ decreased by approximately 50% on average for each portion as a result of broiling the hamburger, bacon and catfish specimens. The mean concentration (pg TEQ/kg, wet weight) of PCDDs, PCDFs, and coplanar PCBs, however, remained the same in the hamburger, increased by 83% in the bacon, and decreased by 34% in the catfish. On average, the total measured concentration (pg/kg) of the congeners of PCDDs, PCDFs, and coplanar PCBs increased 14% in the hamburger, increased 29% in the bacon, and decreased 33% in the catfish.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nerve globins in invertebrates.

The expression of nerve hemoglobins in invertebrates is a well-established fact, but this occurrence is uncommon. In the species where nerve globins occur, they probably function as an oxygen store for sustaining activity of the nerves during anoxic conditions. Although invertebrate nerve globins are functionally similar with respect to O2 affinity, they are by no means uniform in structure and can differ in size, cellular localization and heme-coordination. The best-studied nerve globin is the mini-globin of Cerebratulus lacteus, which belongs to a class of globins containing the polar TyrB10/GlnE7 pair in the distal pocket. The amide and phenol side chains normally cause low rates of O2 dissociation and ultra-high O2 affinity by forming strong hydrogen bonds with bound ligands. Cerebratulus hemoglobin, however, has a moderate O2 affinity, due to the presence of a third polar amino-acid in its active site, ThrE11, which inhibits hydrogen bonding to bound oxygen by the B10 tyrosine side chain.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Mutant allele frequencies in cats of Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Coat color phenotype frequencies were determined in the cat population of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Mutant allele frequencies are estimated to be p (O) = 0.287, q(a) = 0.742, q(d) = 0.635, q(l) = 0.507, p(S) = 0.288. q(tb) = 0.472, p(W) = 0.016, and q(cs) = 0.214. A substantial number of cats displaying the Siamese coat pattern were found. These cats have a long history in the population.

Alleles↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Outcomes of a nursing intervention for siblings of chronically ill children: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of a structured, educational, and support group intervention (ISEE, Intervention for Siblings: Experience Enhancement) for siblings of children with chronic illness (cancer, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and spina bifida), including a session with parents about sibling needs; and to describe sibling and parent perceptions of sibling experiences at home. DESIGN: One-group, pretest-posttest pilot study. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 22 siblings and parents. SETTING: A Midwestern university medical center. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knowledge of Illness Test, parent ratings on a global, single item, 10-point scale. RESULTS: Sibling test scores increased significantly after intervention, compared to baseline. Parents' average evaluation rating was 9 on a 10-point scale. Parents supported their positive ratings with verbatim descriptions. Sibling and parent perceptions of sibling experiences were congruent, suggesting the sources of potential adjustment problems in siblings, and were consistent with the literature. CONCLUSIONS: A randomized, clinical trial with a larger sample size is needed to evaluate the intervention further.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ct air-contrast scanning of the internal auditory canal.

Two hundred and four patients with audiometric and vestibular findings suggestive of a retrocochlear lesion were studied prospectively by computed tomographic scan with air contrast of the internal auditory canal. With this technique tumor limits are clearly defined. In the absence of disease the internal auditory canal has been completely air-filled in over 97% of cases. Soft tissue masses occluding the internal auditory canal were demonstrated in 11 patients. Four studies were inconclusive and there was one false positive. Headaches have been the only side effect and there have been no complications. In reporting their results the authors examined the indications, accuracy and limitations of this technique. This study demonstrates that computed tomographic scan with air contrast of the internal auditory canal should be considered as the radiologic procedure of choice for the evaluation of small acoustic tumors.

Cerebellar Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The New York Angler Cohort Study: exposure characterization and reproductive and developmental health.

The New York State Angler Study will evaluate the association between past and current consumption of contaminated fish from Lake Ontario and both short- and long-term health effects in a population-based cohort. It will measure fish consumption and reproductive and developmental health among 10,518 male anglers and 6,651 of their wives or partners, as well as among 913 female anglers. To characterize exposure among subgroups of the cohort, further analytical methods were developed and implemented to measure specific polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) congeners, methylmercury, and other substances in biological samples. Exposure assessment has been completed for a stratified random sample of 321 anglers. In addition, analyses for 79 congeners of PCBs are complete for 177 anglers. A special study of duck and turtle consumers currently is underway. Telephone interviews have been completed with 2,454 of the 2,999 women who planned a pregnancy between 1991 and 1994. The entire cohort of male anglers, partners of male anglers, and female anglers has been submitted for matching with the New York State live birth and fetal death registries to obtain lifetime reproductive histories. A medical record abstraction study will assess perinatal and developmental outcomes among the 3,442 births that occurred between 1986 and 1991. Finally, a study of breast milk from currently lactating women is underway, and 215 breast milk samples have been collected from the planned pregnancy subcohort. Progress on each of the study components is discussed herein.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ultrastructural analysis of neurosecretory cells in the antennae of the mosquito, Culex salinarius (Diptera: Culicidae).

An antiserum raised against the peptide, culetachykinin II, immunocytochemically detected a group of neurosecretory cells in the first flagellar segment of the antennae of both males and females of the mosquito, Culex salinarius. This is the first insect species in which neurosecretory cells have been found in the antennae. The ultrastructure of these antennal neurosecretory cells (ANC) is described, as well as their relationship to other neurons in the antennae and antennal lobe of the mosquito. These tachykinin-reactive cells contain relatively small (140-220 nm) elementary neurosecretory granules. Not only do the ANC have axons that terminate on specific glomeruli of the deutocerebrum, but these neurons also have collaterals that form neurohemal terminals in the receptor lymph channels of the dendrites of the sensory neurons. Thus, the ANC not only influence higher centers of the brain that interpret signals from the antennal sensillae, but also modulate the response of the sensory receptors. To our knowledge, this is the first report of neurosecretory cells directly affecting the signal reception of sensory neurons.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Mothering young children with disabilities in a challenging urban environment.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the occupations of mothering very young children with physical disabilities. METHOD: Two single, urban, Black mothers in their mid-20s were interviewed with a semistructured protocol. The audiotaped, transcribed data were analyzed with a phenomenological method. RESULTS: The context of the challenging urban environment was a constant influence that shaped the participants' occupations of mothering. The major over-arching theme derived from the data was that mothering was "what I got to do" in relation to their particular child. Two sub-themes were identified: (a) mothering as caring and (b) the impact of social supports on the occupations of mothering. CONCLUSION: To plan meaningful, effective interventions, occupational therapy practitioners need to understand the context in which mothering occupations occur and to ensure that mothers' caring occupations and social support needs are addressed in the therapeutic partnership.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cultural sensitivity for aboriginal hemodialysis patients.

As the numbers of Aboriginal hemodialysis patients in Manitoba are dramatically escalating, we must explore ways of providing more culturally effective care. Knowledge and understanding of cultural differences are essential in that the potential for conflicting medical paradigms or explanatory models of illness may create obstacles to achieve this goal. We need to pay heed to Aboriginal communities that have developed effective programs, recognizing that Aboriginal input is critical to the success of any plan for Aboriginal people. In keeping with these understandings, Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre has undertaken an initiative to improve the cultural sensitivity within the hemodialysis unit. The project is currently in the assessment phase and has undertaken a series of sharing circles or focus groups to solicit patient input. The following article will describe this cultural sensitivity initiative. It is hoped that this initiative will enhance a respectful and trusting relationship, allowing our Aboriginal patients to become partners in their care.

American Indian or Alaska Native↗