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Biomedical subjects

M McFarland

Publications and source records attributed to M McFarland.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Influence of short-term fasting during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle on ovarian follicular development during the ensuing proestrus of ewes.

Short-term fasting of mature ewes during diestrus results in increased serum concentrations of progesterone and a delayed pre-ovulatory surge release of LH. To determine if these changes in reproductive hormones influence subsequent follicular development, mature ewes observed in estrus were assigned randomly to control (n=10) or fasted (n=15) groups. Control ewes had ad libitum access to feed, whereas fasted ewes were not fed from day 7 through 11 of their estrous cycle. Daily blood samples were collected from control and fasted ewes throughout the fasting period. Fasting increased (P<0.001) serum concentrations of progesterone (4.4 ng/mL versus 2.7 ng/mL [+/-0.3]). On day 12, all ewes were treated with 10mg of PGF(2alpha) and fasted ewes were returned to ad libitum feed. Ovaries were collected from ewes (n=5 each group) at 0 and 72 h following PGF(2alpha) in control and 0, 72 and 96 h in fasted ewes. Ovaries were weighed and small (< or =2mm), medium (3-4mm), and large (> or =5mm) follicles were enumerated. Total numbers of follicles were less (P<0.001) in fasted than fed ewes (14.6 versus 30.2 [+/-2.2]) at 0 h, but did not differ (P=0.9) when numbers of follicles were compared at similar times before the anticipated LH surge (i.e., at 72 h versus 96 h in control and fasted ewes, respectively). Within follicular size class, numbers of small and medium follicles were decreased (P=0.04) at 0 h in fasted ewes. Numbers of large follicles did not differ (P=1.0) between groups. Although numbers of small and medium ovarian follicles in fasted ewes recovered by 96 h to values comparable to fed ewes at 72 h following PGF(2alpha), serum concentrations of estradiol 17beta (P=0.08) and FSH (P=0.06) tended to be decreased in fasted ewes before the anticipated surge release of LH. Pituitary content of LH and FSH also tended to be lower (P< or =0.09) at 96 h in fasted ewes than at 72 h in control ewes, but did not differ (P> or =0.4) at hour 0 following PGF(2alpha). Hypothalamic and stalk median eminence contents of GnRH were not influenced (P> or =0.2) by fasting at any time period. Fasting during the luteal phase perturbs gonadotropin secretion and may influence fertility by causing a delay in ovarian follicle development.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The isolation of exotic Newcastle disease (END) virus from nonpoultry avian species associated with the epidemic of END in chickens in southern California: 2002-2003.

During the first 11 months of the 2002-2003 exotic Newcastle disease (END) epidemic in chickens in southern California, a total of 27,688 cloacal and tracheal (oropharyngeal) swab pools and/or tissue pools from 86 different avian species other than chickens and turkeys were submitted for Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolation and characterization. Fifty-seven specimens (0.23%), representing 12 species of birds and 13 unspecified species, from a total of 24,409 accessions or submissions were positive for NDV. The NDV isolate was characterized as ENDV by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Of the 11,486 premises with other avian species, 1599 also had chickens. There were 1900 positive chicken samples from 164 premises, and 56 positive other avian species from 51 premises. Twelve premises had both positive chickens and positive other avian species. All positive other avian species were located on premises either on or within a 1 km radius of known infected premises. In this epidemic, premises with positive other avian species were significantly more likely to have chickens, and were significantly more likely to have positive chickens (OR = 3.7, P < 0.0001).

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Distribution and characterization of plasmalemma vesicle protein-1 in rat endocrine glands.

Plasmalemma vesicle protein-1 (PV-1) is an integral membrane protein associated with endothelial cell caveolae and fenestrae. Since endocrine glands are enriched with fenestrated endothelium, we examined the distribution of PV-1 mRNA and protein in endocrine glands and determined its cellular localization. A single transcript was detected by RT-PCR in all endocrine glands examined. A synthetic peptide was used to generate antibodies for Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Western blotting of membrane fractions from lung, pituitary, adrenal, testis and PV-1-transfected Cos-1 cells revealed a major 65 kDa protein. This protein binds to heparin with high affinity. Using IHC, PV-1 was localized to both endothelial cells of the adrenal zona reticularis and chromaffin cells of the medulla. In the pancreas, PV-1 expression was restricted to a few cells in the islets of Langerhans that partially overlap with somatostatin-positive delta-cells. In both neonatal and adult pituitaries, strong PV-1 immunoreactivity was detected in neural lobe pituicytes in a pattern similar to that of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). PV-1 and GFAP expression was seen in the adult, but not neonatal, intermediate lobe. Endothelial cells throughout the neonatal anterior lobe were PV-1 positive, but PV-1 in the adult was restricted to some endothelial and endocrine cells localized near the margins of lobe. In the adult testis, strong PV-1 expression was seen in germ cells within the seminiferous tubules that varied with the stage of spermatogenesis. In contrast, PV-1 in the neonatal testis was localized to the interstitial cells but not seminiferous tubules. In the ovary, PV-1 was expressed in stromal endothelial cells as well as the thecal layer of developing follicles. Over half the corpus luteal cells were positive for PV-1. Our data have shown that PV-1 is not restricted to endothelial cells but is localized in many types of endocrine and non-endocrine cells. Furthermore, PV-1 expression in the pituitary and testis is developmentally regulated.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed2001

Cgr1p, a novel nucleolar protein encoded by Saccharomyces cerevisiae orf YGL0292w.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae open reading frame (ORF) YGL029w (CGR1) encodes a small hydrophilic protein of unknown function. To investigate the role of this gene, we have determined the intracellular localization of the encoded product and examined the effects of Cgr1p depletion on cell growth. Tagging Cgr1p with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) or the myc epitope showed focal accumulation of the fusion protein in the yeast nucleolus, and this localization overlapped with the distribution of the nucleolar protein Nop1p. Cells depleted of CGR1 mRNA were growth impaired and hypersensitive to the translational inhibitor paromomycin, and this phenotype was complemented by episomal expression of the CGR1-GFP fusion gene. These results identify Cgr1p as a novel component of the yeast nucleolus and suggest a potential role in ribosome biogenesis.

Fungal Proteins↗
PubMed1997

Lansoprazole heals erosive reflux esophagitis resistant to histamine H2-receptor antagonist therapy.

PURPOSE: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, multicenter clinical trial to determine whether lansoprazole was superior to continued therapy with histamine H2-receptor antagonist therapy in healing erosive reflux esophagitis. METHODS: Investigators from nine medical centers enrolled 159 patients with endoscopically documented esophageal erosions and/or ulcers that had failed to heal with 12 or more wk of at least standard dosages of histamine H2-receptor antagonist therapy. Patients received ranitidine 150 mg b.i.d. for 8 wk or lansoprazole 30 mg for 4 wk followed by either lansoprazole 30 mg or lansoprazole 60 mg for another 4 wk of treatment. Patients underwent endoscopy at screening and at weeks 2, 4, and 8. RESULTS: At 2, 4, and 8 wk of therapy, healing rates were significantly higher in the lansoprazole group compared with the ranitidine group (p < 0.001). By 8 wk, 84% of the lansoprazole group were healed as opposed to only 32% of the ranitidine group. Lansoprazole was superior to ranitidine in providing relief of upper abdominal burning and daytime heartburn (p < 0.001) and reducing the need for antacids (p < 0.001). Lansoprazole patients had less interference with sleep and less day time drowsiness than ranitidine patients (p = 0.05). The percentages of patients with adverse events were similar in both groups. Fasting serum gastrin levels at weeks 4 and 8 were significantly higher in the lansoprazole group compared with the ranitidine group. CONCLUSION: Eight weeks of lansoprazole therapy is safe, superior to continued ranitidine therapy, and effective in healing more than 80% of patients with erosive reflux esophagitis previously resistant to histamine H2-receptor antagonist therapy.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗
PubMed1996

Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate enhances nm23 gene expression in murine melanocytes but not in syngeneic B16-BL6 melanoma variants.

The nm23 gene has been described as a potential metastasis suppressor gene in certain rodent and human tumors. We previously demonstrated that tyrosine and phenylalanine restriction suppresses metastatic heterogeneity of B16-BL6 murine melanoma and selects for tumor variants with decreased metastatic potential. In this study, we investigated nm23 expression in the highly metastatic B16-BL6 (ND) melanoma, its nutritionally derived poorly metastatic (LT) variant, and the syngeneic non-tumorigenic Mel-ab melanocytes. No differences in nm23 expression were observed between ND and LT cells, and nm23 expression varied between different isolates. Previously, we showed that metastatic potential of 1-ND cells decreases and is not altered in 1-LT cells after prolonged in vitro cell passage; however, nm23 expression is equivalently increased by 2-fold. In 2-ND and 2-LT cells, expression of nm23 is not different at higher in vitro cell passage. Expression of nm23 decreased about 2-fold when phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was removed from Mel-ab cells, which induces these cells to become quiescent. Although membrane-associated protein kinase C (PKC) activity decreased after prolonged PMA treatment in all cells, neither nm23 expression nor proliferation of ND and LT cells was affected by PMA. These data indicate that nm23 expression is related to proliferative activity rather than to the suppression of metastatic potential.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Do growth-retarded premature infants have different rates of perinatal morbidity and mortality than appropriately grown premature infants?

OBJECTIVE: To determine if perinatal morbidity and mortality differ in growth-retarded, small for gestational age (SGA), premature infants and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants. METHODS: All consecutive, singleton, nondiabetic, preterm pregnancies delivered over a 15-year period were analyzed. Infants were categorized as SGA (at or below the tenth percentile) or AGA (11th to the 89th percentiles), then stratified by birth weight and gestational age categories. Perinatal morbidity and mortality were examined. RESULTS: We studied 4183 preterm deliveries, 1012 of them SGA and 3171 of them AGA. Overall, we found significantly higher rates of fetal and neonatal death in the SGA group. Stratification by gestational age revealed significantly higher rates of neonatal death for the SGA group compared with the AGA group in each gestational age category. Overall, comparison also revealed significantly higher rates of fetal heart rate abnormality in the SGA group but no difference in neonatal sepsis, birth trauma, cesarean delivery, hyaline membrane disease, or congenital anomalies. CONCLUSION: Growth-retarded premature infants have a significantly higher risk of morbidity and mortality, both before and after delivery, than do appropriately grown infants.

Confidence Intervals↗
PubMed1996

Perinatal outcome in growth-restricted fetuses: do hypertensive and normotensive pregnancies differ?

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that fetal growth restriction (FGR) associated with a maternal hypertensive disorder results in worse perinatal outcome than FGR in pregnancies without maternal hypertension. METHODS: All consecutive, singleton, nondiabetic, small for gestational age (SGA) deliveries (birth weight at or below the tenth percentile for gestational age) in a 15-year computerized data base were analyzed for pregnancy outcome. Perinatal outcome was compared after stratification by presence or absence of hypertensive disorders and by gestational age at delivery. RESULTS: Eleven thousand two hundred twenty-seven SGA pregnancies were analyzed. The morbidity and mortality profiles differed between hypertensive and normotensive pregnancies delivered preterm and those delivered at term. Perinatal mortality was significantly higher in the normotensive than in the hypertensive group in preterm deliveries (30.3 versus 18.7%, odds ratio [OR] 1.9 [confidence interval (CI) 1.3-2.9]). At term, hypertensive pregnancies demonstrated significantly higher mortality than normotensive pregnancies (4.6 versus 1.9%, OR 2.42 [95% CI 1.7-3.4]). In both preterm and term gestations, cesarean rates were significantly higher in hypertensive pregnancies than in normotensive pregnancies. Using logistic regression analysis, hypertension was independently associated with a 39% reduction in risk of perinatal mortality preterm, compared with a twofold increased risk of perinatal mortality at term. CONCLUSION: Before term, FGR in normotensive women resulted in significantly higher perinatal mortality than FGR in hypertensive women. In contrast, at term, FGR in pregnancies complicated by hypertension had poorer perinatal outcomes than FGR in normotensive women.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Are labor abnormalities more common in shoulder dystocia?

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the association between labor abnormalities and shoulder dystocia. STUDY DESIGN: All consecutive cases of shoulder dystocia from January 1986 to August 1994 were reviewed (n = 276). For purposes of comparison a control group of vaginally delivered patients was randomly selected in a 2:1 ratio (n = 600). Charts were reviewed for demographic information, labor and delivery events, and neonatal outcome. RESULTS: Labor abnormalities were comparable in the shoulder dystocia and control groups, both in the active phase and in the second stage. When patients with diabetes and those with macrosomic infants were analyzed separately, no significant differences in labor abnormalities were identified. The rate of operative vaginal delivery was significantly higher in the shoulder group, and one third of the operative deliveries were midpelvic. In addition, the induction rate was higher in the shoulder group. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that labor abnormalities may not serve as clinical predictors for subsequent development of shoulder dystocia, thus emphasizing the unpredictability of this condition.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Comparison of once daily doses of lansoprazole (15, 30, and 60 mg) and placebo in patients with gastric ulcer.

OBJECTIVES: A multicenter, double-blind study was conducted in 268 patients to compare the safety and efficacy of 15, 30, and 60 mg of lansoprazole and placebo in the treatment of gastric ulcer. METHODS: The study included an 8-wk treatment period to assess healing and a 6-month posttreatment period to evaluate ulcer recurrence. Endoscopies were performed, GI symptoms and antacid use were assessed, and safety evaluations were conducted, including serum gastrin and biopsies of the lesions and the greater curvature of the stomach. RESULTS: At week 4, healing rates were significantly higher with lansoprazole 15 and 30 mg (64.6 and 58.1%, respectively) compared with placebo (37.5%). By week 8, healing rates were 76.7% with placebo, 92.2% with 15 mg of lansoprazole, 96.8% with 30 mg, and 93.2% with 60 mg of lansoprazole (p < 0.05). The drug was well tolerated, with no significant differences from placebo in the incidence of adverse events. Fasting serum gastrin increased in all lansoprazole groups, reaching a plateau by week 2 and returning to baseline levels by month 1 posttreatment. No significant increase in Grimelius-positive cells or inflammation was evident. All but two patients had normal gastric morphology evaluated by Solcia classification. CONCLUSIONS: Lansoprazole, 15, 30, and 60 mg, administered once daily before eating, healed gastric ulcers to an approximately equal degree, and all were significantly better than placebo.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗
PubMed1994

Hypertensive diseases in pregnancy.

Hypertension is one of the most common complications of pregnancy, with potential adverse effects for both mother and fetus. Controversy exists in the classification and differential diagnosis of the hypertensive disorders, which include preeclampsia-eclampsia, chronic hypertension, preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension, and transient hypertension. This review discusses the problems clinicians face in the diagnosis of these disorders, as well as key management issues. With proper diagnosis and treatment, pregnant hypertensive patients should be spared the most serious sequelae of hypertension, and most should enjoy a successful pregnancy outcome.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1992

Investigations of the environmental acceptability of fluorocarbon alternatives to chlorofluorocarbons.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are currently used in systems for preservation of perishable foods and medical supplies, increasing worker productivity and consumer comfort, conserving energy and increasing product reliability. As use of CFCs is phased out due to concerns of ozone depletion, a variety of new chemicals and technologies will be needed to serve these needs. In choosing alternatives, industry must balance concerns over safety and environmental acceptability and still meet the preformance characteristics of the current technology, the only viable alternatives meeting the safety, performance, and environmental requirements for the remaining 40% of demand are fluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFs), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). HCFCs and HFCs possess many of the desirable properties of the CFCs, but because of the, hydrogen, they results in shorter atmospheric lifetimes compared to CFCs and reduces their potential to contribute to stratospheric ozone depletion or global warming; HFCs do not contain chlorine and have no potential to destroy ozone. This paper provides an overview of challenges faced by industry, regulators, and society in general in continuing to meet societal needs and consumer demands while reducing risk to the enviroment without compromising consumer or worker safety.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

Inverted papilloma of the nose and paranasal sinuses in children.

Inverted papillomas are rare nasal and sinus neoplasms in children. The disturbing biological characteristics of these tumors seen in adults, including malignant degeneration and the high frequency of recurrence, have been similarly observed in the pediatric population. Therefore, inverted papilloma in children mandates similar treatment to that proven effective in adults, including wide excision and careful histopathological examination of any tissue excised. Radiation therapy should be reserved for those tumors associated with carcinoma. Since recurrences can occur after long periods of time, life-long follow-up is warranted.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1991

Uterine papillary serous carcinoma: a review.

Uterine papillary serous carcinoma, a histologic subtype of endometrial cancer, is characterized by a propensity for deep myometrial invasion, upper abdominal spread, and poor prognosis. We reviewed its histologic and clinical characteristics and compared them to those of endometrial adenocarcinoma with papillary features.

Carcinoma, Papillary↗
PubMed1990

A human ADP/ATP translocase gene has seven pseudogenes and localizes to chromosome X.

There are at least three transcriptionally active human ADP/ATP translocase genes. We have isolated seven ADP/ATP translocase pseudogenes from recombinant human genomic libraries. Each pseudogene sequence had more than 85% identity with the sequence of the human ADP/ATP translocase cDNA derived from fibroblast mRNA, but each had mutations that precluded synthesis of a functional protein. Using an intron probe derived from a partial clone of the human fibroblast ADP/ATP translocase gene, we localized the gene to chromosome Xq13----Xq25-26. The gene encoding the skeletal muscle translocase has previously been shown to be on chromosome 4. Therefore, the human ADP/ATP translocase genes are members of a multigene family that includes pseudogenes and has been dispersed to at least two chromosomes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1974

Metabolism of D-arabinose by Escherichia coli B-r.

The pathway for d-arabinose metabolism in Escherichia coli B/r has been determined. Evidence is presented to support the following metabolic scheme: d-arabinose d-ribulose right harpoon-up d-ribulose-5-phosphate d-xylulose-5-phosphate.

Aldehyde-Lyases↗