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Biomedical subjects

L Kent

Publications and source records attributed to L Kent.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Characterisation of Staphylococcus intermedius isolates from canine pyoderma and from healthy carriers by SDS-PAGE of exoproteins, immunoblotting and restriction endonuclease digest analysis.

Ten Staphylococcus intermedius isolates from cases of canine pyoderma and 10 from healthy carriers were examined by SDS-PAGE of exoproteins, immunoblotting and restriction endonuclease digest analysis. Similarities between banding patterns of the isolates were calculated as Dice coefficients for all three methods. For SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting, no significant differentiation was found between the pyoderma and "healthy" groups. Analysis of DNA digested with BglII indicated that S. intermedius is genetically heterogeneous; Dice coefficients for the pyoderma group were distinct from those for the healthy group (p < 0.001), and cluster analysis confirmed that the pyoderma isolates (9) formed a group separate from the majority (6 of 9) of the normal isolates.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Streptomycin and tetracycline resistance plasmids in Staphylococcus hyicus and other staphylococci.

Plasmids associated with resistance to streptomycin, to streptomycin plus chloramphenicol or to tetracycline in Staphylococcus hyicus isolated from the skin of pigs have been compared, by restriction endonuclease digest patterns, with similar staphylococci from human sources and with published DNA base sequences. Several plasmids from Staph. hyicus have proved to have a very similar structure to those described from Staph. aureus but others appeared very dissimilar. This confirms the opinion that staphylococci from animal skin share a pool of plasmids with those from human skin but may also possess some of quite different structure.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Contingent reinforcement of abstinence with individuals abusing cocaine and marijuana.

Two males diagnosed with cocaine dependence received a behavioral intervention comprised of contingency management and the community reinforcement approach. During the initial phase of treatment, reinforcement was delivered contingent on submitting cocaine-free urine specimens. The community reinforcement approach involved two behavior therapy sessions each week. Almost complete cocaine abstinence was achieved, but regular marijuana use continued. During a second phase, reinforcement magnitude was reduced, but remained contingent on submitting cocaine-free specimens. Behavior therapy was reduced to once per week. Cocaine abstinence and regular marijuana use continued. Next, reinforcement was delivered contingent on submitting cocaine- and marijuana-free specimens. This modified contingency resulted in an abrupt increase in marijuana abstinence and maintenance of cocaine abstinence. One- and 5-month follow-ups indicated that cocaine abstinence continued, but marijuana smoking resumed. These results indicate that the behavioral intervention was efficacious in achieving abstinence from cocaine and marijuana; maintenance, however, was achieved for cocaine only.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Examination of interleukin-1 activity, the acute phase response, and leukocyte subpopulations in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis.

Rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) were used to determine whether chronic systemic paw inflammation was accompanied by appearance of the acute phase response, an increase in splenic interleukin-1 (IL-1) production, and a reduction of nonhelper T cells in the spleen and peripheral blood. Two weeks after injection of adjuvant, the rats developed significant (P less than or equal to 0.01) swelling of the noninjected paw indicative of systemic inflammation. The rats with AA also exhibited signs of the acute phase response, as measured by a significant increase in plasma C-reactive protein (138% above normal) and a significant decrease in plasma albumin (47% below normal), zinc (30% below normal), and iron (58% below normal). IL-1 production from spleen cells of rats with AA was increased 115% compared with normals. Results from immunofluorescence studies with W3/25 and OX8 antibodies to distinguish rat T-helper-inducer (TH) spleen cells from suppressor-cytotoxic (nonhelper T) spleen cells indicated no significant difference between the percentage of OX8+ cells in spleens of arthritic rats compared with OX8+ cells in spleens of normal rats. The W3/25+-to-OX8+ ratio of 1.6 +/- 0.2 for normal rat spleen cells (33% to 21%) was not significantly different from the arthritic rat ratio of 1.9 +/- 0.1 (36% to 19%). When the phenotypes of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed, the normal animals possessed a greater percentage of W3/25+(TH) cells than did rats with AA. Normal blood mononuclear cell samples were composed of 51% +/- 3% W3/25+ cells and 22% +/- 2% OX8+ cells, and the samples from rats with AA contained 43% +/- 4% W3/25+ cells and 24% +/- 3% OX8+ cells. Thus, the helper-to-nonhelper ratio was higher for normal rats (2.3 +/- 0.1) than for arthritic rats (1.8 +/- 0.2). The data indicated that the appearance of the acute phase response and the abnormally high rate of splenic IL-1 production in the rats with AA did not stem from a subnormal percentage of OX8+ nonhelper T cells in the spleen or peripheral blood.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗
PubMed1987

Selection of movement patterns during functional tasks in humans.

These experiments examine the role of vision and step height in the selection of a simple binary choice of movement pattern by human subjects. The subjects selected a heel strike movement pattern (HS) (as used during level surface locomotion) or a toe strike movement pattern (TS) (as used during stair descent). The functional task involved descending a step of adjustable height followed by level surface walking under vision and nonvision conditions. Triceps surae and tibialis anterior electromyographic (EMG) activity, ankle angle position, and vertical force were examined. As step height was increased, there was an indistinct threshold at which subjects switched from landing with a HS movement pattern to a TS movement pattern. The tibialis anterior and triceps surae precontact EMG burst and subsequent ankle movement for HS and TS trials appear to be part of preprogrammed movement patterns, which are presumably of central origin. The particular mixture of voluntary, stereotypic, and reflex actions for any specified movement is based on the intent or functional outcome desired. The switching to the TS movement pattern as step height increased presumably results in the most efficient and stable movement.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1987

Screening of a recombinant mycobacterial DNA library with polyclonal antiserum and molecular weight analysis of expressed antigens.

A lambda gt11 expression library containing recombinant DNA from Mycobacterium tuberculosis was screened using hyperimmune anti-M. tuberculosis rabbit serum. The majority (22 of 29) of the recombinant clones selected by using polyclonal serum expressed three antigens that were previously identified by using mouse monoclonal antibodies, thus indicating the immunodominance of these proteins. Western blot analysis of the recombinant clones demonstrated that expression of these antigens is frequently independent of the formation of beta-galactosidase fusion proteins. The molecular weight of each expressed antigen can vary between clones and is not necessarily identical to that found in mycobacterial extracts.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

In vitro expression of a 38,000 dalton heparin-binding glycoprotein by morphologically differentiated smooth muscle cells.

In vitro, high density monolayer cultures of vascular smooth muscle cells can be induced to form multicellular nodules. The nodular cells appear to be morphologically differentiated smooth muscle cells. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (NaDodSO4)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to compare the proteins synthesized and secreted by monolayer and nodular cultures of smooth muscle cells. Although most proteins appeared to be similar, the nodular cultures contained a unique heparin binding protein of Mr = 38,000 (38kD protein) (Millis, A.J.T., Hoyle, M., Reich, E., and Mann, D.M., 1985, J. Biol. Chem., 260:3754-3761). The 38kD protein was glycosylated and its apparent molecular weight was shifted to Mr = 32,500 after synthesis in the presence of tunicamycin or digestion with endoglycosidase F. The production of 38kD protein by nodular cell cultures did not appear to result from the degradation of a high molecular weight precursor in nodular conditioned medium. Further, it was not detected in monolayer cell conditioned medium that had been incubated with nodular cells. Finally, its synthesis was not induced in monolayer cell cultures that had been labeled in nodular cell conditioned medium. The 38kD protein appears to be uniquely associated with nodular cultures of smooth muscle cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Immunological activity of a 38-kilodalton protein purified from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

A 38-kilodalton (kDa) protein antigen from Mycobacterium tuberculosis was purified by monoclonal antibody TB71-based affinity chromatography. This molecule carries two nonoverlapping epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies TB71 and TB72, which are expressed substantially more strongly by M. tuberculosis than by Mycobacterium bovis. However, cross-reactive determinants between these two species were revealed on the 38-kDa protein by a rabbit anti-BCG serum. An immunoradiometric assay based on the TB71 and TB72 antibody pair specifically determined 38-kDa-antigen concentrations in mycobacterial extracts. Antibodies in sera from tuberculosis patients estimated by binding to 38-kDa-antigen-coated microtiter plates were positively correlated with TB72 competing titers. Unlike antibodies, T-cell proliferative responses to the 38-kDa protein were expressed equally by 60% of tuberculosis patients and healthy BCG-vaccinated subjects. Similarly, delayed-type hypersensitivity skin reactions were elicited in both M. tuberculosis- and M. bovis-sensitized guinea pigs. The results suggest the immunodominance of the species-specific B-cell and cross-reactive T-cell stimulatory epitopes.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Differential response of articular chondrocyte populations to thromboxane B2 and analogs of prostaglandin cyclic endoperoxides.

The effects of two unsaturated fatty acids, protaglandin E2, thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and 2 analogs of PG endoperoxide on monolayer cultures of rabbit articular chondrocytes have been studied. Arachidonic and linoleic acids had no effect on either DNA or sulfated-glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis, while 13,14 dihydro-PGE2 and PGE2 markedly inhibited the former. Two epoxymethano analogs of endoperoxide PGH2 (Em-;pgh2) at concentrations of 2.5 and 24 microgram/ml stimulated cell proliferation while reducing 35SO4 incorporation. By contrast, Em-PGH2 at lower concentrations (0.25 - 250 ng/ml) inhibited DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. TxB2 at 2.5 microgram/ml did not alter cellular proliferation. At lower concentrations, 2.5 and 25 ng/ml, TxB2 significantly stimulated sulfated-glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis in at least one of the chondrocyte populations tested. The results also demonstrated marked differences in the effects of TxB2 and the Em-PGH2 analogs on the partitioning of newly synthesized sulfated-proteoglycan between the cells and medium of these cell cultures.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

National commission meets the grass roots: concerns of program directors in allied health education.

An informal, open-ended survey was conducted by the National Commission on Allied Health Education for the purpose of learning what the directors of allied health programs in colleges and universities regard as the major problems facing allied health today and the major issues for the near future. The concerns of the respondents were found to cluster in 11 major areas: (1) definition (identity), (2) credentialing, (3) funding, (4) roles of educational settings, (5) clinical affiliations, (6) curriculum, (7) continuing education, (8) students, (9) faculty and administration, (10) delivery systems and consumer needs and (11) research and information needs. Even though consensus on problems was remarkable, there was no such general agreement on solutions. This initial "idea search" proved useful to the Commission in defining topic areas for documentation studies and in underscoring the necessity of looking for solutions.

Allied Health Personnel↗
PubMed1974

Conservative and surgical aspects of disc lesion management. Follow-up review of 244 cases.

A follow-up study of 244 patients who were admitted to hospital with the diagnosis of discogenic disease between 1963 and 1970 was conducted to determine more precisely when conservative care should stop and a myelogram study followed by surgical decompression should be considered. The number of patients who had electromyography was separately tabulated and totaled (154). Of these, 87 (56.5 percent) had normal and 67 (43.5 percent) abnormal findings. It is significant that 29 of the total had positive myelograms and operation, yet 16 (59 percent) of the 29 had normal electromyograms. This raises a question about how much confidence to place in negative electromyographic findings when deciding for or against surgical operation. However, negative electromyograms are very helpful in reassuring patients who are emotional and resistant to resuming useful activities.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rolling circle amplification for scoring single nucleotide polymorphisms.

The analysis of the genetic basis of phenotypic traits is moving towards the complex diseases prevalent in wealthy populations. There is an increasing requirement for the detection of different types of sequence variation, particularly single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). SNPs occur about once every 100 to 300 bases. High-density SNP maps will help to identify the multiple genes associated with complex diseases such as cancer, diabetes, vascular disease, and some forms of mental illness.

DNA↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Medical staff functional reviews: from committees to functions.

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations requires medical staff members to provide effective mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the quality of patient care and to improve organizational performance. Many healthcare facilities choose to meet this requirement through structured committees such as those on surgical case review, blood usage, medical record review, and pharmacy and therapeutics. This article describes a streamlined alternative to medical staff committees and explains how intensive and screening evaluations can be improved by using the most significant data.

Efficiency, Organizational↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of supplemental oxygen on cardiopulmonary changes during gastrointestinal endoscopy.

This prospective study evaluated supplemental oxygen as an effective means of preventing hypoxemia and electrocardiographic changes in sedated patients undergoing endoscopic procedures. Ninety-five patients with documented ischemic heart disease and 106 patients without heart or lung disease were studied. Patients within each group received either supplemental oxygen (2 L/minute) via nasal cannula or room air. Hypoxemia (oxygen saturation below 90%) and ST-segment deviations occurred in cardiac and control groups. The combination of midazolam and meperidine significantly increased the risk for hypoxemia as compared to midazolam alone (44% versus 8%). Supplemental oxygen significantly decreased, but did not entirely prevent, hypoxemia in cardiac and control groups. The incidence of ST-segment deviation in cardiac patients who were hypoxic was significantly lower in the group receiving oxygen (p = .0015). Supplemental oxygen did not affect the incidence of arrhythmias. Prophylactic supplemental oxygen should be administered to patients with ischemic heart disease who undergo conscious sedation for upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures.

Adult↗