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Biomedical subjects

J Tighe

Publications and source records attributed to J Tighe.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Myeloid leukaemic cells can lyse fibrin directly.

Purified preparations of circulating leukaemic blast cells from patients with acute myeloid (M1-7) or acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, and the myeloid or lymphoid cells from patients with chronic myeloid or lymphocytic forms of leukaemia, were incorporated into clots prepared from fibrinogen and plasminogen. Patterns of lysis were followed and measured by light transmission in a microtitre plate reader. Mature polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cell fractions from normal individuals were studied concurrently for comparison. Blast cells from the myeloid forms of acute leukaemia (M2-4) and 'myeloid' cell fractions from patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia were capable of lysing plasminogen-containing clots; this activity was neutralized by addition of immunoglobulin against urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA), but not by anti-tissue plasmogen activator (t-PA). Mature polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells from normal individuals lacked lytic activity, as did the leukaemic cells from patients with acute lymphoblastic or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Lysed blast cells showed the presence of free plasminogen activator on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) with overlay zymography, also neutralized by anti-u-PA, whereas normal polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells did not. These observations suggest that mechanisms underlying some forms of severe bleeding in acute myeloid leukaemias have a critical fibrinolytic component generated by the blast cells themselves.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

A unified health ministry in central Tennessee: eleven years of successful partnership.

Middle Tennessee Medical Center (MTMC) is a not-for-profit community hospital located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Eleven years ago, a large investor-owned hospital company presented the institution's board of trustees with a purchase offer. As an alternative, two church-related institutions in Nashville--Baptist Hospital and Saint Thomas Hospital, which is part of the Daughters of Charity National Health System--presented the board of trustees with a plan whereby a new not-for-profit holding company sponsored jointly by Baptist Hospital and Saint Thomas Hospital would become the corporate member of Middle Tennessee Medical Center. Funds contributed by Baptist and Saint Thomas Hospitals would be infused into the Christy-Houston Foundation, a not-for-profit entity devoted to identifying and serving community needs in Murfreesboro and the surrounding area. Their proposal was accepted, and the two church-related institutions became partners in jointly sponsoring and governing an important not-for-profit healthcare institution in central Tennessee. In 1996, The Lewin Group, a healthcare consulting firm based in Fairfax, Virginia, was commissioned by Baptist Hospital, Saint Thomas Hospital, and Daughters of Charity National Health System to conduct a retrospective assessment of the progress of this jointly sponsored ministry in relation to the original vision and goals. Historical and operational data were analyzed, and interviews were conducted with 24 people who were directly involved in conceiving, developing, or implementing this ministry. This article summarizes the principal findings and conclusions of this ten-year assessment.

Catchment Area, Health↗
PubMed1995

Novel thiazole-based heterocycles as selective inhibitors of fibrinogen-mediated platelet aggregation.

The synthesis and biological activity of novel thiazole-based heterocycles as inhibitors of thrombin-induced human platelet aggregation are described. Further evaluation of selected compounds show they inhibit platelet aggregation as stimulated by a variety of agonists. The more active compounds also were found to inhibit fibrinogen binding to platelets. To further delineate the mechanism of action of these compounds, direct binding studies with the purified glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor were performed. Flow cytometry analyses of 24 and 32 indicate that these compounds block the activation process of the GPIIb/IIIa receptor without denaturing the integrin receptor. On the basis of these studies, 32 exhibited the best profile as a novel nonpeptide inhibitor of fibrinogen-mediated platelet aggregation.

Fibrinogen↗
PubMed1991

Prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and associated risk behaviours in clients of a needle-exchange in central London.

In order to determine the prevalence of risk behaviour for, and antibodies to HIV and hepatitis B in clients of a needle-exchange scheme in central London we employed an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire along with salivary antibody testing by immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibody capture immunoassay. Two hundred and thirty-two subjects (193 men, 39 women; median age 32) participated; a response rate of 89%. Clients were long-term, frequent injectors. Lending used equipment at any time was reported by 55%, and borrowing by 52%. Of those who had shared needles and syringes during the last year, the majority had lent to, or borrowed from, one person only (53 and 55%, respectively). Younger clients (less than 29 years of age) reported more recent sharing than older clients (greater than 30 years of age). Five out of 211 (2.4%) samples tested for anti-HIV were positive. One hundred and eleven out of 199 (56%) samples were positive for anti-hepatitis B core (HBc). In this population of needle-exchange attenders there is no evidence of further spread of HIV, and a low prevalence of HIV infection appears to have been sustained. However, the high prevalence of anti-HBc provides evidence of previous risk behaviour and so constant vigilance is necessary if further viral spread is to be avoided. This study has established an acceptable method for the anonymous surveillance of current risk behaviour and salivary antibodies to HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) in a drug-using population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

The response of the isolated iris sphincter muscle of various mammalian species to substance P.

Contractile responses of the isolated iris sphincter muscle from the rabbit, cow, pig, cat, dog, baboon and man to substance P were compared under isotonic conditions using carbachol as a reference standard. Iris preparations from the rabbit, pig and cow showed strong and consistent responses to substance P whilst those from the cat, dog, baboon and human eyes did not contract.

Animals↗