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Biomedical subjects

M Donohue

Publications and source records attributed to M Donohue.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Anopheles gambiae pilot gene discovery project: identification of mosquito innate immunity genes from expressed sequence tags generated from immune-competent cell lines.

Together with AIDS and tuberculosis, malaria is at the top of the list of devastating infectious diseases. However, molecular genetic studies of its major vector, Anopheles gambiae, are still quite limited. We have conducted a pilot gene discovery project to accelerate progress in the molecular analysis of vector biology, with emphasis on the mosquito's antimalarial immune defense. A total of 5,925 expressed sequence tags were determined from normalized cDNA libraries derived from immune-responsive hemocyte-like cell lines. The 3,242 expressed sequence tag-containing cDNA clones were grouped into 2,380 clone clusters, potentially representing unique genes. Of these, 1,118 showed similarities to known genes from other organisms, but only 27 were identical to previously known mosquito genes. We identified 38 candidate genes, based on sequence similarity, that may be implicated in immune reactions including antimalarial defense; 19 of these were shown experimentally to be inducible by bacterial challenge, lending support to their proposed involvement in mosquito immunity.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Minimally invasive treatment for localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate: review of 1048 patients treated with ultrasound-guided palladium-103 brachytherapy.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of palladium-103 brachytherapy in stage T1 and T2 adenocarcinoma of the prostate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The charts of 1048 patients treated between 1991 and 1999 with transperineal realtime ultrasound-guided (103)Pd (Theraseed) implants were reviewed to assess the effects on serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) values and tissue (biopsy). Of the 1048 patients, 780 had sufficient data for this report. Preoperative total androgen blockade (leuprolide and flutamide) was used selectively in patients whose prostate size was >50 cc and those whose tumors had a Gleason score of >7. RESULTS: At 1 year, 86% of the evaluable 766 patients had stable PSA concentration <1.5 ng/mL; at 5 years, 86% of the 166 patients with data available had stable PSA values <1.5 ng/mL. Biopsies were negative in 92% of the patients studied at 2 years. Patients with pretreatment PSA values <10 ng/mL had the best outcomes, and those treated with (103)Pd plus hormone ablation achieved PSA reduction more rapidly than those treated with radioisotope monotherapy. There was one disease-related death; the principal morbidity was short-term bladder and bowel irritation without permanent sequelae. Impotence occurred in approximately 15% of patients, and incontinence occurred in 5% of those who had undergone prior transurethral resection of the prostate. CONCLUSION: The technique used in this study proved effective in reducing PSA concentrations to <1.5 ng/mL and in producing negative biopsies 1 and 2 years postoperatively. These results are comparable to those of external-beam radiation therapy and radical prostatectomy while demonstrating a significant reduction in morbidity.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

Evolution of techniques for ultrasound-guided palladium 103 brachytherapy in 950 patients with prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: Brachytherapy is an effective, low-morbidity, cost-effective treatment for adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Although both iodine 125 and palladium 103 have been used extensively over the last 14 years, 103Pd (Theraseed) provides a more rapid initial dose and therefore better control of higher Gleason grade tumors. We assessed a highly refined methodology for 103Pd brachytherapy in patients with prostate cancer and compared outcomes before and after making adjustments in technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standard brachytherapy techniques were modified to include combination of preplanning with real-time adjustment, placing all needles at once to minimize prostate movement, using monitored anesthesia control sedation during preoperative volume study and cystoscopy, and several other small but important changes. Charts were reviewed from 950 patients treated with 103Pd implants from 1991 through 1999. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and biopsy data before and after 1993 were compared for 733 patients whose data qualified for analysis. RESULTS: At 1 and 5 years after treatment, 85-88% of patients had stable PSA <1.5 ng/mL. Biopsies were negative in 90-94% at 2 years. CONCLUSION: The modification in techniques provides positive results that remain stable over time.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

What is energy work?

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Electromagnetic Fields↗
PubMed1998

Computed tomography of Paget disease of the skull versus fibrous dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: Radiologists are often challenged to review CT examinations of the skull without pertinent clinical information or plain radiographs. Skull lesions of fibrous dysplasia (FD) may often be confused with Paget disease (PD). The purpose of this article is to evaluate radiographic similarities and to find the signs that can differentiate PD from FD of the skull on head CT and to describe the CT imaging features of PD and FD. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: CT scans of the skull in eight cases of PD, 18 cases of FD (13 cases of skull and facial bones, five cases of only facial bones) and 10 normals were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: Ten features were found to be similar in PD and FD and 10 other features were found to be dissimilar. The frequency of the 10 differentiating features was evaluated to determine their reliability in distinguishing one disorder from the other. The differentiating features in order of significance include: (1) "groundglass" appearance, (2) symmetry, (3) involvement of the paranasal sinuses, (4) thickness of the cranial cortices, (5) involvement of the sphenoid bone, (6) orbital involvement, (7) nasal cavity involvement, (8) presence of a soft tissue mass, (9) maxillary involvement, and (10) the presence of cyst-like changes. CONCLUSION: These 10 signs improve the radiologist's skill in differentiating FD and PD.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Determining Surface Areas from Linear Adsorption Isotherms at Supercritical Conditions

Here we demonstrate that there is a wide range of pressures at supercritical temperatures where there is essentially monolayer coverage (i.e., there is nearly a complete layer of molecules adsorbed adjacent to the surface, but very little excess density in the second and subsequent layers). In this regime, the dependence of the Gibbs adsorption on the density is linear, and coefficients of this linear function depend on the monolayer capacity and surface area. It is shown that measurements of the Gibbs adsorption in this regime can be used to determine surface area without knowledge of the area per molecule or a model for the adsorption isotherm. This new method has the potential to provide reliable values of specific surface area for macroporous, mesoporous, and microporous systems without the limitations of previous methods. Lattice-theory calculations suggest that the best conditions for surface area measurements are in the supercritical region with temperatures about twice the critical temperature and pressures well above the critical pressure. These conditions allow nearly complete monolayer coverage but there is not multilayer adsorption because the temperature is sufficiently above the critical temperature of the adsorbate. Copyright 1997 Academic Press. Copyright 1997Academic Press

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

The role of consumers in health care decision making.

This paper focuses on the results of a survey of chief executive officers and consumer board members of Ontario hospitals and community health centres regarding the role of consumers in health care decision making. The opinions of both the chief executive officer and consumer board member respondents were elicited regarding the value of consumer input in decision making for the organizations studied. Results indicate that consumer board members feel that their input into organizational decision making is valued, chief executive officers value the input of consumers, and consumer involvement in decision making is increasing. More women are now involved on boards of the organizations studied, but visible minority representation remains low on hospital boards. Consumer board members feel that their decision making is influenced by providers on the board.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1996

An ammonium pulse inhibits fluid secretion.

Exposing perfused mandibular salivary glands to a 5-min pulse of NH4Cl almost totally inhibited fluid secretion evoked by acetylcholine. Recovery from exposure to 0.5 mM NH4Cl occurred within 10 min, but after exposure to 20 mM NH4Cl recovery was not complete even after 30 min. The inhibition could not be explained by changes in intracellular pH as there was no acidosis measurable after the 0.5 mM NH4Cl pulse. NH4Cl did not inhibit intracellular calcium release by acetylcholine so that receptor inhibition could not be the explanation for the inhibition of secretion. These observations indicate that data obtained from ammonium pulse experiments should be interpreted with caution.

Acetates↗
PubMed1993

Effect of hypolipidemic drugs gemfibrozil, ciprofibrate, and clofibric acid on peroxisomal beta-oxidation in primary cultures of rainbow trout hepatocytes.

Primary cultures of hepatocytes were established from sexually mature male rainbow trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss) and treated with the hypolipidemic drugs gemfibrozil (0.25-1.25 mM), clofibric acid (2.25-3.00 mM), or ciprofibrate (0.25-1.00 mM). Significant dose-related increases in peroxisomal fatty acyl-CoA oxidase (FACO) were seen after exposure for 48 hr to clofibric acid (P < 0.01) and ciprofibrate (P < 0.05) but not gemfibrozil (P = 0.08). Strong correlation was obtained between increased acyl-CoA oxidase activity and the relative amount of peroxisomal bifunctional enzyme (PBE), further supporting evidence of a proliferative effect. These preliminary studies demonstrate that peroxisomal beta-oxidation can be induced in vitro in a primary rainbow trout hepatocyte system.

3-Hydroxyacyl CoA Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1993

Maternal-fetal health: ethical issues.

Modern medical technology has given us the ability to directly observe the fetus and its state of health. This ability has allowed the fetus to be newly individuated and has supported what often are called conflicts between the fetus and the pregnant woman. This article examines the nature of some of these conflicts and offers support for ethical theories and principles that assume that the pregnant woman is the appropriate decision maker for treatment involving her body and that if she is given support and comprehensible information, her decisions will be in the best interests of her family.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1992

Effect of a fluoridated etchant on the shear bond strength of a composite resin to enamel.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a fluoridated etching gel on the shear bond strength of a composite resin to enamel. A total of 75 extracted human permanent molars were used. A flat enamel surface was obtained with 600-grit silicon carbide paper and cleaned with a rubber cup and a water slurry of fine flour of pumice. The teeth were randomly distributed into 5 groups of 15 teeth each and etched as follows: group 1: 37% non-fluoridated phosphoric acid gel (Coe) for 60 seconds (control); group 2: 60% phosphoric acid gel with 0.5% NaF (Orthoprep) for 5 seconds; group 3: Orthoprep for 15 seconds; group 4: Orthoprep for 30 seconds; group 5: Orthoprep for 60 seconds. After etching, rinsing and drying, an unfilled resin (Coe Bond) was thinly applied with a brush and cured for 30 seconds. A nylon ring was placed over the area and filled with a light-cured composite resin (Occlusin). The teeth were thermocyled (100x), mounted in plastic cups and plaster, and sheared with a knife-edged blade in an Instron machine running at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The results in MPa were as follows: group 1: 14.49 +/- 4.43; group 2: 10.81 +/- 3.70; group 3: 13.51 +/- 3.21; group 4: 14.79 +/- 3.76; group 5: 15.47 +/- 4.07. An analysis of variance showed that the results in groups 1, 4 and 5 were not significantly different but that the bond strengths in groups 2 and 3 were significantly lower. Fracture within the enamel occurred in 8 specimens in group 1, 5 in group 2, 6 in group 3, 8 in group 4, and 13 in group 5. In the fluoridated etchant groups the number of specimens showing enamel fracture increased as the application time of the etchant increased.

Acid Etching, Dental↗
PubMed1991

Human group II phospholipase A2. Characterization of monoclonal antibodies and immunochemical quantitation of the protein in synovial fluid.

Murine monoclonal and rabbit polyclonal antibodies were generated against human group II phospholipase A2 (PLA2) in order to study the role of this enzyme in inflammatory disease, the source of its synthesis, and the interaction of PLA2 with its substrate. Monoclonal antibody PLA187 exhibits potent inhibitory activity toward human PLA2 using autoclaved E. coli membranes as the substrate. Three other monoclonal antibodies (PLA184, PLA185, and PLA186) also inhibit enzyme activity, but with about 50-fold less potency. Based on the results of double-antibody competition experiments and enzyme inhibition profiles, PLA184 and PLA185 appear to recognize the same epitope. Monoclonal antibody PLA186 recognizes an epitope which is spatially distinct from that recognized by PLA184/185. The results also suggest that the epitope recognized by PLA187 may overlap with both epitopes recognized by PLA186 and PLA184/185. A double-antibody sandwich ELISA was developed using a combination of PLA185 and rabbit polyclonal antibody against PLA2. The ELISA provides a sensitive and quantitative method for monitoring specifically group II PLA2 in various biological sources, independent of factors which may affect enzyme activity. We have utilized this assay to quantitate PLA2 levels in synovial fluid from the joints of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis as well as from non-arthritic joints. Our results indicate that elevated levels of group II PLA2 in synovial fluid are not necessarily associated with arthritis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1991

Effect of a triclosan/copolymer/fluoride dentifrice prophylaxis on the shear bond strength of a composite resin to enamel.

A new fluoride dentifrice formulation containing triclosan and a copolymer has been introduced. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strength of a resin composite bonded to enamel previously cleaned with this new dentifrice formulation. A total of 45 human extracted permanent molars were used. A flat enamel surface was obtained with 600 grit SiC paper and the teeth randomly distributed into 3 groups of 15 teeth each: Group 1: Pumice prophylaxis with a rubber cup and slow-speed handpiece; Group 2: Prophylaxis with a conventional fluoridated dentifrice (Colgate); Group 3: Prophylaxis with a triclosan/copolymer/NaF dentifrice (Colgate). After prophylaxis, the teeth were acid-etched with a 37% phosphoric acid gel for 30 seconds, rinsed and dried. An unfilled resin (Coe Bond) was thinly applied with a brush and cured for 30 seconds. A nylon ring was placed over the area and filled with a light-cured resin composite (Occlusin). The teeth were thermocycled for 100 cycles, mounted in plastic cups and plaster, and sheared with a knife-edged blade in an Instron running at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The results in MPa were as follows: Group 1: 11.34 +/- 4.57; Group 2: 13.46 +/- 3.60; Group 3: 13.84 +/- 4.33. An ANOVA showed that there was no statistically significant difference among the groups. Fracture within the enamel occurred in 27% in Group 1, 47% in Group 2, and 67% in Group 3. The results support the use of the fluoride dentifrices tested in this study for prophylaxis prior to bonding procedures.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1988

Establishment and evaluation of a serum cholesterol monitoring service in a community pharmacy.

A clinical pharmacy service providing blood cholesterol testing and consultation was implemented in a community pharmacy. In this pilot study, 27 patients each paid $10 to have a serum cholesterol determination. All subjects completed a questionnaire to determine attitude toward such a service, intention to use it in the future, and willingness to pay for its use. A posttest patient satisfaction questionnaire was completed after blood-level results were reported and discussed with the patient. All subjects stated that they were strongly in favor of such a service, that they would use it, and that they would pay an average of $11.60 for the test. On the posttest questionnaire, patients expressed strong satisfaction with various aspects of the service, and the amount that they were willing to pay increased significantly to $14.35. It is recommended that community pharmacies implement such patient-oriented services.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

TONAR calibration: a brief note.

Measurements were made of the frequency response characteristics of the microphone-separator components of TONAR II instrumentation. The results of our calibration studies revealed 1) appreciable non-uniformity in frequency response of the two microphones, 2) a considerable degree of mismatch in frequency response between the microphones and, 3) dynamic interactions among microphone, separator cavity, and talker cavity resonant characteristics. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications regarding the validity of TONAR II based nasalance ratio measures.

Acoustics↗
PubMed1977

Repressible alkaline phosphatase from Thermus aquaticus: associated phosphodiesterase activity.

A repressible alkaline phosphatase has been isolated from the extreme bacterial thermophile. Thermus aquaticus, and has been purified to homogeneity as judged by disc acrylamide electrophoresis and sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis. Upon investigation, the purified enzyme was shown to hydrolyze certain phosphodiesters in addition to a wide variety of phosphomonoesters. The diesters included bis-p-nitro-phenyl phosphate and thymidine 3'-monophospho-p-nitro-phenyl ester. The temperature optimum for the diesterase activity was 80--85 degrees at pH 7.2. Orthophosphate competitively inhibited both activities. Nucleotides such as AMP, ADP, and ATP also inhibited both esterase activities as did alpha-D-glucose 1-phosphate and alpha-sodium glycerol phosphate. The isoelectric point of the enzyme was determined to be 8.4.

Adenine Nucleotides↗
PubMed1975

Glucose metabolism in thyroidectomized and normal dogs during rest and acute cold exposure.

Uniformly labeled (14C)glucose was infused iv at a constant rate into unanesthetized surgically thyroidectomized (THY) and normal dogs during the basal state at 22 degrees C and during cold exposure at 4-5 degrees C. 02 uptake, CO2 output, and plasma glucose levels were determined; from these rates of glucose turnover and oxidation were calculated. Comparison of THY with normal dogs shows that at a mean plasma glucose level of 103 mg/100 ml, a significantly lower glucose turnover rate was observed in THY dogs on the basis of a kg body weight, body surface area (m-2), but not per cal BMR. The same percentage of glucose turnover was immediately oxidized in THY and normal dogs, accounting for 16 and 15% of the total caloric expenditure, respectively. Acute cold exposure increased energy expenditure in both THY and normal dogs without a change in glucose level or turnover rate. However, the percentage of glucose turnover which was immediately oxidized as well as the amount of glucose oxidized increased significantly and proportionally to the increase in energy expenditure so that the percent of calories derived from plasma glucose oxidation remained the same as that observed during the control period.

Animals↗